Jerome "Jerry" Jansen, 84, of West Bend, passed away Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at Kathy Hospice, West Bend.
He was born on November 20, 1922 in West Bend to the late Peter and Veronica (nee Thoma) Jansen. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the European Theater under General Patton. After returning from the war, Jerry married Mabel Mueller in June of 1946. Mabel passed away on April 4, 1964. Jerry then married Celeste Clemens (nee Penoske) on July 9, 1966 at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, West Bend. Celeste passed away on December 4, 2004.
Jerry was employed as a supervisor at Weasler Engineering for many years, retiring on February 15, 1985. He was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Adrian Neubauer VFW Post #8658, Lt. Ray Dickop American Legion Post #36, and the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #1398. He enjoyed working in his yard and gardening and had a special passion for his rose bushes. Jerry also enjoyed spending time with his family and loved being able to participate in family activities.
He is survived by five children, Jane (George) Hess of Kohler, Alan (Linda) Jansen of Kewaskum, Amy (Jim) Bender of West Bend, Daniel (Judy) Clemens of Arlington Heights, IL, and Gary (Lory) Clemens of West Bend; 13 grandchildren, George (Sara) Hess, Alyca (Andrew) Arentsen, Matthew Hess, Kristen (Dustin) Hulstrom, Matthew Jansen, Jill Jansen, Christopher (special friend Kaila Meyer) Thompson, Stephanie Thompson, Christopher (Jill) Bender, Katie Bender, John (Rebecca Evans) Clemens, Kaitlyn Clemens, and Kyle Clemens; a great-granddaughter, Amber Hess; a sister, Rosemary (Ervin) Van Beek of West Bend; two brothers, Steve Jansen of West Bend, and James Jansen of Illinois; two sisters-in-law, Evie Jansen of West Bend, and Lois (Jack) Reiland of West Bend; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Peter Jansen.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 17 at 7:30 p.m at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 1025 S. 7th Ave., West Bend. Rev. Jeffrey Haines will be the celebrant and burial will be in Washington County Memorial Park, West Bend, on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be at the Myrhum - Patten Funeral Home, 1315 W. Washington St., West Bend, on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Kathy Hospice would be appreciated.
The family would like to express their heart-felt thanks to the nurses and staff of St. Joseph's Hospital, Cedar Crossings at Pleasant Valley, and Kathy Hospice and also a special thank you to Dr. Robert Gibson and Dr. Eric Olafsson for their dedicated care.