JANSSEN, Charles A. 1956-2007

JANSSEN, DIRKS, MILLER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/24/2019 at 17:38:14

Charles Alan Janssen, 50, of Wellsburg, Iowa, passed away in his sleep during the evening of Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at a hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. In January 2005 and January 2006, Charles had surgeries to remove a brain tumor along with treatments of radiation and chemotherapy. The brain tumor was in remission at the time of Charles’ death.

Charles was born on July 4, 1956, in Grundy Center, Iowa, at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital, the son of Claus Arthur and Hilda Marie (Dirks) Janssen of rural Wellsburg. On July 29, 1956, Charles was baptized by Reverend B.E. Visscher at the First Christian Reformed Church in Wellsburg, Iowa. After attending kindergarten through eighth grade at Timothy Christian School, Charles graduated in 1970. In 1974, Charles graduated from Wellsburg High School, where he participated in various organizations and served as president of his class and president of the Future Farmers of America.

After high school, Charles farmed with his parents west of Wellsburg on the family farm proudly owned since 1878. Charles and his father formed the partnership C. A. Janssen and Son. In addition to farming, Charles and his parents raised Holstein cattle and operated a dairy. In 1974, Charles was approved as an American Breeders Service Genetic Mating Service Evaluator. The Holstein Association of America awarded Charles and his father the Progressive Herd Award in 1991. In 1994, Charles purchased the Harvey and Ella Eiten farm next to his parents’ farm. Charles received numerous trophies and ribbons from showing cattle throughout the Midwest and was a lifelong member of the Iowa Holstein Association. He belonged to the Wellsburg Community Club and served on the Grundy County Republican Party Executive Committee. Charles and his family had the pleasure of meeting President George W. Bush and his wife Laura on seven different occasions.

On August 26, 2000, Charles was united in marriage with Susan Leigh Miller, daughter of Elton and Jolene Miller of Wakefield, Nebraska. Susan is a former teacher, gifted education consultant, high school principal and superintendent of schools. The wedding took place at St. John Lutheran Church in Wakefield, Nebraska. On January 28, 2001, Charles became a confirmed member of St. John Lutheran Church in Wellsburg, Iowa. Charles and Susan were blessed with a lovely son, Joseph Charles Miller Janssen, on October 10, 2001. In 2004, Charles and his son Joseph won the championship trophy at the Iowa New Star Discovery Most Beautiful Baby Contest in the Father Son Category. They later competed in the National New Star Discovery Championship Finals in Chicago, Illinois, where Joseph was selected as the ninth most beautiful child in the United States in his age category. Charles enjoyed vacationing with his family, farming, working with his Holstein cattle, bowling and riding motorcycles.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Donald; maternal grandparents, John and Henriette (Smit) Dirks and paternal grandparents, Will and Ada (Ruter) Janssen. He is survived by his wife Susan and son Joseph of rural Wellsburg; two brothers, William and Robert; a sister Jean; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Douglas and Joan Murray of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska and Dr. Kenneth and Kristi Cheloha of Lincoln, Nebraska; six nephews and four nieces.

The funeral service for Charles was held on Friday, June 1, 2007 at St. John Lutheran Church in Wakefield, Nebraska with Reverend Bruce Zimmermann of Wellsburg, Iowa and Reverend Terry Buethe of Wakefield, Nebraska officiating. Burial was in the Wakefield Cemetery following the service.

--Munderloh-Smith Funeral Homes (www.meaningfulfunerals.net)