George Jansen

KELSO, Mo. -- George Patrick Jansen, 76, of Kelso passed from this life Sunday, March 3, 2013, at home, while in the arms of his wife and surrounded by his loving family.

The seventh child and sixth son of Bernard and Christine Brockmeyer Jansen was born March 17, 1936, in Cape Girardeau. He was baptized at St. Mary's Catholic Church. He and Margaret Louise Sobba, the love of his life, were married April 27, 1957, at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran, Mo.

When he was two, the family moved to a farm in rural Oran, Mo. He attended Guardian Angel School from 1942 until 1945, when the family moved to a farm between Chaffee, Mo., and Kelso. There he was a student in Diebold School near their home until he transferred to St. Augustine Catholic School in the seventh grade. George graduated eighth grade, finishing his formal education but not his lifetime of learning.

Farming was his life vocation, his love and his living, learned at a very early age. He grew up shouldering the responsibility of the family farm due to his father's illness and also because of the fact that he was the youngest son remaining on the farm. George knew what it was like following a team of mules through the fields and also the joy of obtaining the first tractor and equipment to take the place of them.

He knew what hard work meant from early morning until the sun went down, and that set the pace for the remainder of his life, until a massive stroke forced his retirement on Sept. 26, 2010.

Hard work was not all there was for George. He enjoyed a good time with family and friends, and was always ready for a party, a ballgame or a good card game. At one of those parties, he met Louise, beginning a four-year courtship. They were married and moved into his home near Kelso, where they enjoyed 56 happy years together.

His religion, community and friends were important to George. He had served as usher at St. Augustine Catholic Church, on the parish council, and various committees where he had been a member since age 11. He was also a loyal 3rd Degree lifetime member of Knights of Columbus of Scott City and lifetime member of BPOE Elks of Chaffee.

Various farm organizations through the years also held his membership. As a side line, he sold Pioneer seed and in the farming offseason George and a neighbor did carpentry. Socializing and good discussions were a hobby, sometimes with a good deal of teasing and humor. He was known for being able to converse with anyone, seldom meeting a stranger. A stranger to him was just someone you had never met.

Probably the most important aspect of George's life was family. He was a loving husband to his wife, and a proud, caring father to his three children and to their families. It was important to him to instill in them a good work ethic and a sense of worth, honesty and loyalty. Vacation time was always a source of joy, learning and family togetherness.

The love of hunting was passed on to the sons and after the grandsons became old enough it was his delight to take several of them on their first deer hunt. That required a bag full of snacks, a thermos of hot chocolate and some real quality time. None of them got a deer because when the snacks were gone, the hunt was over. They all enjoyed his company with games and just shared time, even having special tea time with his little granddaughter.

George is survived by his wife, Louise, of the home; two sons, Bruce Allen (Vicki) of Cape Girardeau and their children, Chad Hileman and Lindsay Jansen; Douglas Girard (Kimberly) of Chaffee and their son, Caleb; a daughter, Denise Loraine Shelton (James) of Blodgett, Mo., and their sons, Brian, (fiancee Shea Hillis), Patrick (fiancee Amy Green) and Chris.

He also is survived by a brother, Leon (Bernice) Jansen of Cape Girardeau; three sisters, Lucille (Joseph) Klipfel of Cape Girardeau, Irene (Joseph) Klueppel of Benton, Mo., and Corena (Leroy) Berkbigler of Jackson; two sisters-in-law, Rita and Juanita Jansen; a brother-in-law, Jim Ford; and a large number of special nieces, nephews and cousins he counted as friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; four brothers, Herman (Rita), Paul (Juanita), Martin (Mary Jane) and infant Raymond.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at St. Augustine Church. Parish prayers will be at 6:30 p.m., followed by Knights of Columbus service.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church, by the Rev. Oliver Clavin. Burial will be in St. Augustine Cemetery.

www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com