Cletus Jansen

Cletus L. Jansen, 85, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, April 22, 2013, at Chateau Girardeau.

He was born July 3, 1927, in Leopold, Mo., to Jacob L. and Mary Holweg Jansen. In 1949, he married Bonnie Limbaugh who preceded him in death in 1969. She was the mother of his six children, all who survive. In 1971, he married Edna Niemeier who preceded him in death in 2007.

Survivors include a son, Kevin Jansen of Cape Girardeau County; five daughters, Linda Piatt (Dale), LaDonna Scheffer (Charles), Bonita VanGennip (Fred), Barbara Hammers (Howard), all of Cape Girardeau County, and Rhonda Davis (Matthew) of Collierville, Tenn.; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Rita Elfrink of St. Louis, Wilma Eftink of Portageville, Mo., and Bernadette Ives of Florissant, Mo.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Louise C. Jansen; and a granddaughter.

He was a tractor mechanic his entire career. He worked at Crader Equipment in Lutesville, Mo., and later at Schneider Equipment in Cape Girardeau. After retiring from Schneider Equipment, he established his own business, Jansen Tractor Salvage in Cape Girardeau, where he continued to work until 1998.

In his earlier years, he farmed part time and loved competing in tractor pull contests at local fairs. After full retirement, he devoted his life to pursuing his passions, which included fishing, bowling, playing cards, wood working, Cardinals baseball, spending time with his family and friends, and, most of all, enriching his spiritual life.

He served briefly in the U.S. Army in 1946 as a crane operator. He was a longtime member of St. Mary Cathedral, a 4th Degree member of Knights of Columbus Council 1111 and was involved in many political and charitable organizations throughout his lifetime.

Family and friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. Parish prayers will be said at 7 p.m., followed by Knights of Columbus rosary.

A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Cathedral. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers/plants, the family requests memorials be made in his honor to Cape Girardeau Birthright, St. Mary Cathedral School or Notre Dame Regional High School.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.crainsonline.com.