Gerald Jansen

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- Gerald Leonard "Chub" Jansen of Leopold died at his home Monday, April 9, 2018, following a long illness.

He was born Aug. 2, 1956, in Lutesville, Missouri, the son of Luke Robert and Mary Louise Steinnerd Jansen. He and Leeann Renee Holzum married June 9, 1979, at St. John Catholic Church in Leopold. She survives.

He graduated from Leopold High School and later, Southeast Missouri State University with a bachelor degree in industrial technology. His many professions included carpenter, bricklayer and 16 years as an instructor in Leopold, Perryville and Woodland School Districts. He spent 16 years in insurance sales with Knights of Columbus and Missouri Farm Bureau.

He was a lifetime member of St. John Catholic Church at Leopold and served on the Parish Council. He was active in the Boy Scout Troop 315, Leopold School Board and was a Fourth-Degree Knight of Columbus with Council 5898 and served as deputy Grand Knight and was selected as a Knight of the Year and Family of the Year.

Gerald enjoyed pitching horseshoes, where he was a five-time state champion with the Missouri Knights of Columbus and was a board member of the K of C Horseshoe Association. He was also a member of the NHPA Horseshoe Association and was inducted into its Hall of Fame.

He loved to fish, hunt, farm and especially to spend time with his loving family. He served in the U.S. Army from January 1975 until January 1978, working with electronics and telephones.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Hanna (Ryan) Burger and Holly (Dustin) Hoesli, all of Leopold; 10 grandchildren. Haley, Reeann and Holden Burger, and Avery, Skyler, Blaine, Talon, Aspen, Quinton and Landric Hoesli; five brothers, Mike (Marilyn) Jansen, Larry (Sheila) Jansen, Norman (JoEllen) Jansen, Lindy (Cindy) Jansen and Rick (Tami) Jansen; three sisters, Pam (Dennis) Horrell, Sheila Irvin and Eva Jansen; a sister-in-law, Marilyn (the late Stan) Jansen; and his mother-in-law, Lorraine Holzum of Marble Hill, Missouri.

Preceding him in death were his parents; a brother, Stan; and his father-in-law, Henry Holzum.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at St. John Catholic Church. Prayers will be recited at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial with military honors will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given for the Southeast Missouri Food Bank.

Hutchings Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.