Donald Jansen, 92
Donald Jansen, 92, of Marshalltown, IA, passed away Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at Grandview Nursing and Rehab in Marshalltown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2018, with a Vigil Service following at 6:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. Memorial contributions may be directed to Immaculate Conception Oratory in Haverhill, IA, Iowa River Hospice, or St. Henry Parish. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.
Donald Bernard Jansen, son of Adelbert (Delbert) and Sophia (Blaschke) Jansen, was born on March 28, 1925, at home on the farm west of Haverhill, IA. He graduated from St. Joseph School in Haverhill and began farming fulltime with his dad in 1939 and continued farming until 1987. Donald was united in marriage to Hazel Schrafel on April 26, 1949, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshalltown. They made their home on the farms in the Haverhill area doing custom threshing, corn shelling and trucking, along with raising grain and livestock. In 1983, Donald and Hazel moved to their home in Marshalltown. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Immaculate Conception Church and St. Henry Catholic Church. Donald enjoyed reading, gardening, fishing and dancing with the love of his life. He cherished family gatherings at their home for holidays and special events, his favorite being the annual Jansen Jamboree sweet corn cookout.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 68 years, Hazel; children: John (Jan) Jansen, of West Des Moines, IA, Marilyn Leavy, of Scottsdale, AZ, Jeanette (Pete) Karl, of Altoona, IA, Carol Anderson, of Marshalltown, Annie (Dean) Pedersen, of West Liberty, IA, Emily (Scott) Melliere, of Charles City, IA, Ron (Sally) Jansen, of Marshalltown; 17 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren (with one on the way); and his sister, Alice Nicholson.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Doris Balvin and Joan Miller, and his son-in-law, Larry Leavy.