Luke Jansen

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- Luke Robert Jansen, 86, of Leopold passed away Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at Woodland Hills Nursing Home.

He was born Dec. 3, 1924, in Leopold, son of Gerhard L. and Anna Debrock Jansen. He married Mary Louise Steinnerd on June 28, 1947, at St. John's Catholic Church.

Luke was a farmer. He was a member of St. John's Church, Farm Bureau, VFW Post 5900 and was a 4th Degree member of Knights of Columbus 5898. He was Knights of Columbus Missouri state family of the year 1995 to 1996 and a founding father of the Knights of Columbus State Horseshoe Tournament.

He served his country proudly in the United States Navy during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Louise of Leopold; seven sons, Michael (Marilyn) Jansen of Spring Hill, Tenn., Larry (Sheila) Jansen of Springfield, Mo., Stanley (Marilyn) Jansen, Norman (JoEllen) Jansen, Gerald (Leeann) Jansen, and Lindy (Cindy) Jansen, all of Leopold, Richard (Tami) Jansen of Hillsboro, Mo.; three daughters, Pamela (Denny) Horrell, Sheila (Jeff) Irvin of Leopold, Eva (Kenny) Denton of Jackson; a sister, Gertie Vandeven of Leopold; 29 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, three sisters and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill, Mo. The rosary will be at 7 p.m., followed by parish prayers.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. John's Church, with the Rev. William Hennecke officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery, with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope Benefit in care of St. John's Catholic Church, P.O. Box 83, Leopold, MO 63760, or to Birthright.