The dresser, in particular, had been there since she married her husband, Bruce, about 44 years ago.

“They have always put us girls first,” said Emmy, one of Judy and Bruce’s three daughters.

After Judy was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year on her birthday, Aug. 10, the family decided it was time to do something special for her.

“She’s done so much for us,” daughter Ashley said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Judy VanAlstine, of Eagle Grove, wipes a tear from her eye as Luanne Bige reads a note from the late Rita Cousins. Cousins was to have her room makeover, but passed away in December of 2019. The family donated the money to go toward another makeover, which turned out to be VanAlstine’s.

That’s when they decided to fill out an application with My Happy Haven, an organization that does room makeovers for women with cancer.

“We helped our dad submit the application,” Ashley said. “Their furniture in that room is 40 years old.”

Kari Swisher, who had a room makeover done for her in July, started a Fort Dodge location for My Happy Haven soon after that.

“My Happy Haven — Mason City did an on the road makeover for me,” said Swisher, who is currently battling breast cancer.

“I wanted to pay it forward and bring it to Fort Dodge,” Swisher said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Luanne Bige, right, a classmate of Rita Cousins’, reads a message she wrote before Cousins passed away in December 2019. Cousins battled breast cancer and was to have her room makeover by My Happy Haven. Her family donated the money of that makeover to help someone else - who turned out to be Judy VanAlstine, of Eagle Grove, seated at left.

Judy VanAlstine, who has battled breast cancer and now colon cancer, became the first room makeover for the Fort Dodge My Happy Haven, which will travel within a 30-mile radius to complete the makeovers.

And the money for her room makeover was already raised thanks to a generous donation from the Cousins family.

“The Cousins family donated in Rita’s honor to have mom’s room makeover,” said Emmy, another daughter of Judy’s. “It’s the most generous gift we have ever received.”

Rita Cousins passed away in December 2019. Her husband, Scott Cousins, of Ankeny, said she had battled ovarian cancer for four years. She also had breast cancer.

Rita Cousins didn’t have the chance for her bedroom makeover, but wanted to make sure someone else could find joy in the project.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Judy VanAlstine’s bedroom at her Eagle Grove home features a whole new look after My Happy Haven - Fort Dodge remodeled it.

Her last words to Lisa Tan, co-founder of My Happy Haven were, “Keep on touching the lives of those beautiful souls who are facing and fighting for their life. I love you, Lisa.” Those words were read aloud by one of Rita’s Forest City High School classmates, Luanne Bige, during the makeover reveal on Saturday at the VanAlstine’s home. The words brought tears to the eyes of many in the room, including Judy VanAlstine.

Minutes later, Judy VanAlstine got to see her room for the first time since the makeover was finished on Sept. 26.

The remodel was completed while she was away having surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

“She hasn’t been in her room yet,” Emmy said. “It’s been hard not to peek.”

As Judy entered the room using a walker, her mother, Martha Smith, wasn’t far behind, with hers.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Judy VanAlstine, of Eagle Grove, and Deanna McColloch, the mother of the late Rita Cousins, embrace after VanAlstine saw her newly remodeled room on Saturday. The family of Rita Cousins donated the money for someone else to have a room makeover following Cousins’ death in December 2019. Rita’s widow, Scott Cousins, and granddaughter, Malibu, 4, are in the background of this photo.

“It’s so beautiful,” Smith said, as the two were greeted by a radiant chandelier hanging from the ceiling, fresh gray paint, new signage with the words “Stay Strong,” and pretty pink blankets and fixtures. Oh, and a new dresser.

“I am so happy for you,” Smith said.

Judy VanAlstine stood in awe as she looked over the room.

“It’s more than I ever imagined,” she said. “It’s unbelievable.”

“Enjoy it,” Scott Cousins said. “Rita wanted you to enjoy it.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Judy VanAlstine’s daughters, Polly, left, and Emmy, hold hands as they see the bedroom for the first time since it was remodeled by My Happy Haven - Fort Dodge.

Scott Cousins said many of his wife’s friends and classmates donated to the makeover. He said during COVID-19, applicants for My Happy Haven were low.

“It was a little bit tough waiting for an applicant, knowing there were so many people who were deserving,” Scott Cousins said. “This was a perfect fit to honor Rita. Rita always wanted this organization to thrive and keep helping people.”

The budget for My Happy Haven rooms is typically about $3,000, Swisher said.

Austin Smith, from Diamond Vogel Paint Store in Fort Dodge, donated all the paint for the project. Bob Torkelson, of Eagle Grove, donated materials and labor. Joel Hanson with A&K Electrical Service, of Badger, donated time and labor.