Richard J. Jansen (1943-2021)

JANSEN, DURBIN, WEINBERG

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/10/2021 at 08:21:02

Richard Joseph Jansen, 78, of Cedar Rapids, slipped away peacefully Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. Services: 10 a.m. Friday at St. John XXIII Catholic Church by the Rev. Richmond Dzekoe. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Teahen Funeral Home and after 9 a.m. Friday at the church. Family and friends are requested to wear a mask and comply with social distancing guidelines when attending the visitation and service.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Julia; three daughters, Dena Jansen, Aimee (James) Durbin, both of Cedar Rapids, and Rebecca (Joel) Weinberg of Deerfield, Ill.; two grandchildren, Reid Durbin of Iowa City and Frederick Weinberg of Deerfield, Ill.; two brothers, Leonard (Carla) Jansen of Carrolton, Ga., and Walter (Patricia) Jansen of Minneapolis, Minn.; sister, Marchella (George) Mackie of Dittmer, Mo.; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Frances; and siblings, Virginia, Clarence, Celeste and Marilyn.

Richard was born April 2, 1943, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of Bernard and Frances Jansen. He graduated from Bishop DuBourg High School, St. Louis, Mo., in 1962. After high school, Richard joined the Air Force, where he retired as a Chief Master Sargent in 1989. On July 3, 1965, Richard married the love of his life, Julia Ann Jones in Shreveport, La. Richard adored Julia and was truly smitten with her and they had a romance that fairy tales are made of. After his retirement from the Air Force, Richard worked at Rockwell Collins as a program manager until 2010. He was a member of St. John XXIII Catholic Church, where he served as a Eucharist minister and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Fr. Schwinn Council.

Richard was an avid hunter and trap shooter who also enjoyed reloading with his best friend Ron. In his younger days, he enjoyed horseback riding, racing motorcycles and working on anything that had a motor. A great day was one spent watching his beloved St. Louis Cardinals play. Richard was a true family man who taught his daughters the importance of being independent. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a spot-on Donald Duck impersonation. Richard's grandchildren were one of the greatest sources of joy in his life. He loved to spoil them with trips to Walt Disney World, Amsterdam and so many drumsticks and guitar picks. The world is truly a poorer place without him.

Instead of flowers, memorial may be directed to Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org or Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.