John Janssen

John R. Janssen, 85, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, at Lutheran Home.

John was born Feb. 22, 1933, in St. Louis to the late the Rev. Emil Christian and Alfrieda Monke. He was baptized March 12, 1933, at his father's church, Zion Lutheran Church in Pevely, Missouri, and then was confirmed April 14, 1946, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in St. Louis.

His mother passed away May 13, 1939, and his father later married Laura Kroehnke in May 1941. She passed away Sept. 1, 1980.

John and his family moved to Shelbyville, Missouri, in May 1938, where John's father was minister for a country Lutheran church. Then the family returned to St. Louis in May 1944, where John's father worked for Concordia Publishing.

John graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in St. Louis in 1951. He entered Harris Junior College and received an associate degree in June 1953. Before graduation, he received his draft notice, but was deferred until June. He was inducted into the U.S. Army six days after the Korean War ended. After basic training, he was sent to Fort Lee, Virginia, where he was assigned various jobs. After discharge from the active Army, he served six years in active reserves.

He then enrolled at Washington University Business School and graduated in June 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He was hired by a small certified public accounting firm, but a short time later was hired by E.A. Rothaus and Co. in St. Louis. John received his CPA certification and became partner in the firm July 1, 1964.

In December 1966, he was transferred to the Cape Girardeau office. John resigned at the age of 65, but continued to work with former clients until the age of 71.

John met Norma Beverage, and they married Nov. 11, 1964. After a long illness, Norma passed away Sept. 17, 1995. They enjoyed traveling. Their daughter, Tammara Lynn, was adopted in August 1970. John later married Marjory Dunlap on May 24, 1997. John and Marge shared many interests and enjoyed traveling together, especially the 30 Elderhostels they attended.

He was an avid photographer and took pictures of all 114 county courthouses in Missouri, as well as photos of all 50 state capitol buildings. He had an extensive collection of cacti. John was a 52-year member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, where he was an active member in the men's Bible study group.

John was a member of Executives Club, Cape West Rotary Club, Copper Dome Society at Southeast Missouri State University and served on Cape Girardeau County Health Department Board, KRCU Board, Hopeful Investment Club and served 25 years as the outside CPA for the Lutheran Home. He was a patron of Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus and delivered Meals on Wheels for SoutheastHEALTH.

Survivors include his wife, Marjory Janssen of Cape Girardeau; daughter, Tammy Janssen of Fruitland; brother, Paul (Judy) Janssen of Sisters, Oregon; grandchildren, Samantha L. Kuehn of Cobden, Illinois, Elizabeth R. Cochran of Scott City and Jessica L. Duck of Jackson; great-grandchildren, Jayden and Peytin Clark, Kaydance Cochran and one on the way; stepdaughters, Kathleen (Calvin) Brennan of Cape Girardeau and Pam Zwart of Lexington, Kentucky; stepgrandsons, Eric (Meredith) Zwart of Milford, Ohio, and Allen M. Zwart of Durango, Colorado; stepgranddaughters, Elizabeth (Stephen) Estes Barr of Webster Groves, Missouri, Casey Le May (Marcus) House of Springfield, Missouri, and Emily (Derek) Brennan Williams of Jackson; and great-stepgrandchildren, Madeline and Anna Barr and Stratton Williams.

He was preceded in death by his mother; father; stepmother; sister, Louise Bailey; first wife, Norma Janssen; and grandson, Brandon Janssen.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, with the Rev. John Dehne officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow at Cape County Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Andrew Lutheran Church, the Copper Dome Society at Southeast Missouri State University or KRCU.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.