Janssen, Alfred 1918-2008

JANSSEN, MEYER, MUIR

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/7/2008 at 19:48:00

From: Carlsen Funeral Home Website

Alfred Janssen, 90, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away Monday, August 4, 2008 at Good Samaritan Village in Le Mars, Iowa.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 9, 2008 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Le Mars, Iowa. Reverend Gary Landsness will officiate. Burial with military conducted by the Wasmer American Legion Post 241 in Le Mars, Iowa will be in Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitations will be after 3:00 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2008 with the family present after 6:00 p.m., and a Prayer service at 7:00 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa.

Alfred D. Janssen was born May 27, 1918 on the family farm near Ireton, Iowa, the son of Henry and Frances (Meyer) Janssen. He attended country school near Ireton and helped his family on the farm.

In 1943, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the Army Medical Corps during WWII. He was honorably discharged in December of 1946.

After returning to the states, he lived with his family in Seney, Iowa. He went to work as a salesman for Murphy’s Products Company, selling feed and animal products throughout Northwest Iowa.

Alfred was united in marriage to JoAnn Muir on June 5, 1953 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Alfred and JoAnn made their home in Le Mars for the next five years, until returning to Seney. In 1962, they moved to Maurice, Iowa, where they made their home for over 21 years. Alfred continued to sell feed and animal products. While living in Maurice, he served several years on the City council and ten years as Mayor. In 1983, they moved back to Le Mars. He retired from Murphy Products Company. Following his retirement, he continued to sell feed and animal products on his own. In 2004, he became a resident of the Good Samaritan Village in Le Mars.

Alfred was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars, serving several years on Church council and Congregation President. He was also active in the church choir and helped with ushering. He was very active in Boy Scouts of America. He started up the Boy Scouts in Maurice. He held several positions and was honored with several awards by the Boy Scouts of America. He was longtime member of the Wasmer American Legion Post 241 of Le Mars. He enjoyed his involvement with Senior Peer Support for the residents of Le Mars and served as a Brentwood Resident Advocate. Over the last few years, Alfred took up the hobby of making jewelry. This was something that he enjoyed doing and kept him very busy while during his time at the Good Samaritan Village. But most of all, he loved the times spent with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife over 55 years, JoAnn of Le Mars; his 3 children: Barbara Shostak and her husband Bruce of Le Mars, David Janssen of Omaha, NE, and Paul Janssen and his wife Sheila of Orange City, IA; 8 grandchildren: Teresa Abram and her husband Alex of Omaha, NE, Brandon Shostak of Gowrie, IA and his fiancé Amy Salton of Sioux City, IA, Jean Janssen of Omaha, NE, Laura Janssen of Omaha, NE, Austin Janssen and his wife Carissa of Sioux City, IA, Haley Janssen of Orange City, IA, Mitchell Janssen of Orange City, IA, and Madison Janssen of Storm Lake, IA; a great-granddaughter: Morgan Abram; 4 sisters: Marie Van Roekel of Phoenix, AZ, Martha Vander Tuig of Le Mars, IA, Leona Lancaster and her husband Bill of Aurora, MO, and Dorothy Hansen and her husband Eugene of Cathedral City, CA; 2 brothers: Lorenz Janssen of Hawarden, IA, and Fred Janssen of Aloha, OR; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother: Elmer Janssen.