JANSMA, Tony 1934-2004

JANSMA, VANSLOTEN, FABERSCHWAN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 2/25/2012 at 14:55:27

Tony Jansma

ROCK RAPIDS, IOWA - Tony Jansma, 69, of Rock Rapids died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004, at the Lakes Regional Hospital in Spirit Lake, Iowa, after suffering a heart attack at his lake home. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery. Arrangements: Roste Funeral Home in Rock Rapids.

Tony Wayne Jansma was born August 17, 1934, in Lester, Iowa, the son of Walter and Jennie (Van Sloten) Jansma. He grew up in the Lester and Rock Rapids areas, where he attended school prior to joining his father in farming. On November 7, 1956, he was united in marriage to Norma Faber in Rock Rapids.

In 1957, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. Upon completing his military service, the couple moved to the Jansma family farm near Rock Rapids.

He founded the Jansma Cattle Company, a feedlot operation, that grew into one of the largest order buying companies in the Midwest, Plains and Mountain states. During the 1970s, he also owned the Mitchell Livestock Auction Barn. Throughout his life he was active in the cattle business and was a member of the Lyon County Cattlemen's Association, the National Cattlemen's Association and was a past director of its national board.

He also was a member of the First Reformed Church. He enjoyed spending time at Lake Okoboji and received much joy that his children and 12 grandchildren brought him. Early last Sunday, Aug. 15, he collapsed at his lake home and died at the Lakes Regional Hospital just two days short of his 70th birthday. At the time of his death, he was still active in the cattle business.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Norma of Rock Rapids; four children, Wally (Lori) Jansma of Sioux Falls, S.D., Debra Jansma of St. Louis. Mo., Bonita (Mark) Schwan of Sioux Falls and Todd Jansma of Rock Rapids; 12 grandchildren, Brandon, Brittany and Brooke Jansma of Sioux Falls, Joseph and John Frith of St. Louis, Samuel, Sophia, Elijah and Georgianna Schwan of Sioux Falls and Jordan, Peyton and Jackson Jansma of Rock Rapids; his mother, Jennie Jansma of Rock Rapids; and a sister, June(Leroy) Vos of Kingsley, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his father, Walter.

Source: Local newspaper.