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- Robert L. Janssen, 94, of Stanley, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.
He was born November 3, 1920, in Boyd, Wisc., the son of Jacob and Rose (Vandenberg) Janssen. He served in the US Navy during WWII aboard the USS Hornet as a gunners mate.
On May 12, 1951, Robert married Phyllis Reetz at St. Pauls Catholic Church in Bloomer after they met on a blind date. Robert drove truck for 60+ years and traveled the entire continental United States. He knew all the best places to eat and could give directions to just about anywhere! He drove truck for Chippewa Motor Freight, Pre-Fab, Fanetti Transport and F&A Cheese, just to name a few. After Roberts retirement in 1985, he continued to drive truck part-time.
He and Phyllis lived in Bloomer from their marriage until his retirement when they moved to Holcombe, Wisc. They later relocated to Eau Claire and finally to Stanley where they both resided at The Home Place.
Robert enjoyed an ice cold Walters or Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, seeing the many sites while driving truck, felling trees up north, wood working, tinkering, attending horse pulls and flea markets looking for treasures, his dogs Lady and Buffy and reading. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion for over 65 years and proudly carried the American Flag in numerous parades.
He is survived by his son, Gerrit (Elizabeth), Fort Wayne, Ind.; daughters, Wendy Janssen, Milwaukee, Cleo Janssen, Milwaukee, Mary Bichanich, Stanley, son, Michael, Eau Claire, daughter, Tina (Paul) Morning, Eau Claire; a sister, Dorothy (Robert) Cance, Stanley; 17 grandchildren; 1 great grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; a brother, Giles; sisters, Leone (Oswald) Willkom, Sister Rosaline (Matilda) FSPA, Elizabeth Bowen, Ida Mae (Charles) Lengyel, Rosalyn Steinmetz; granddaughter, Susan in infancy.
A gathering will be held in Roberts honor on Friday, July 31, 2015, at Alberta Maes Restaurant, Stanley, starting at 11 a.m, with lunch served at noon. Burial with Military Honors rendered by American Legion Post #295 will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2015, at St. Pauls North Catholic Cemetery in Bloomer, with Father John Potaczek officiating.
Bob survived the Depression, WWII, the 60s and the 70s and even Y2K! He supported his wife and 6 children on a truck drivers salary, was still cutting down trees at 85, and up until a few years ago read the paper every day and loved to read the military mysteries, police novels and western books that Cleo brought him. He faithfully put his American Flag out every day before he moved to the Home Place; he didnt vote Republican or Democratic....he voted American. He will be remembered for his obsession with knowing what time it is and having a clock in every room...knowing the directions to everywhere, creatively solving problems and being one tough bugger!
The family would like to sincerely thank the wonderful staff at The Home Place in Stanley for their tender care during Roberts time there. They would also like to extend their gratitude to the 5th floor Progressive Care Unit and Palliative Care staff at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire for their compassionate care during Roberts short stay.
Shriver-Thompson Funeral Home in Bloomer is serving the family. To express condolences online please visitwww.thompsonfuneralhome.com.
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1920 - 2015 (94 years)
