Gary JANSSEN

JANSSEN, ANDERSON, STEVENSON, JUNGLING, BRAM

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/29/2013 at 14:13:24

February 16, 1948 --- September 20, 2013

Gary Janssen, 65, died peacefully at home on Friday, September 20, 2013 after a battle with colon and liver cancer. Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Saturday, September 28 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Father Chris Arnold will officiate. Burial will take place at a later date.

Gary, son of Roy and Flora (Anderson) Janssen, was born at Belmond, Iowa, on February 16, 1948. He grew up on farms near Goodell, and Rockwell, Iowa. Gary graduated from Rockwell High School in 1966, attended North Iowa Area Community College and Iowa State University. On August 4, 1968, he married Mary Beth Stevenson.

Gary farmed in Iowa until 1984 and then formed The Wood Shed, producing furniture and shelving. Gary and Mary Beth moved to Emporia, KS, in 1993. For a time he worked for Casey’s, Americus. In 2007, Gary began raising organic vegetables. He eventually approached the Emporia Public Schools about providing fresh produce for school lunches. From then on he was known by the nickname “Farmer Gary.”

Gary is survived by his wife, Mary Beth, at home; two children, Jason Janssen (Renee), Andover, KS; Jennifer Jungling (Dan), Holt, MO; five grandchildren, Kyle Janssen, Mary Janssen, Vivienne Janssen, Kylie Jungling, and Jordyn Jungling; his mother, Flora Janssen, Mason City, IA; sister, Janna Bram (Doug), Clear Lake, IA; brother Jay Janssen, Pueblo West, CO; Janet Janssen, Pueblo West, CO; and numerous nieces and nephews. Gary was preceded in death by his father, Roy Janssen. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hand in Hand Hospice, Emporia.

Emporia Gazette - Kansas
September 24, 2013