Ronald J. Janssen

Ronald J. Janssen

August 12, 1934 - February 10, 2025

Obituary

LIVESTREAM SERVICE:

Ron’s Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on “Watch Now.”


OREGON - Ronald Joseph Janssen, age 90, of Oregon, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, at Stoughton Hospital. He was born on August 12, 1934, in Appleton, the son of Raymond and Mary Ann (Van Wettering) Janssen.


Ron graduated from Waupun High School in 1952 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1955. He was united in marriage to Joan (Mueller) Janssen on August 18, 1956, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Random Lake. They eventually settled in Fitchburg, later moving to Oregon. Ron worked as a customer service engineer for IBM, retiring after 37 years of service. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 13480 and American Legion Post No. 0160.


Ron enjoyed boating, skiing, swimming, biking, and competing in many 5K runs and marathons. Ron and Joan loved to travel, and their adventures took them around the U.S. and to Ireland. They especially enjoyed a trip to Italy and Israel with Monsignor Bakke. Ron loved being at their lake house and spending time with his family on the lake. He also loved tinkering around his shop, solving problems with his unique inventions, always trying to make life easier with his creativity.


Ronald is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joan; children, Dave Janssen (Katherine), Jacki (Mike) Watzke, Doug Janssen (Kendra) and Sue (Joe) Baumann; grandchildren, Corey (Kourtney) Janssen, Austin Janssen, Alex (Stephanie) Watzke, Taylor Watzke, Angella (Steve) Jessup, Ariana Janssen, Alyssa Janssen, Jessica (Jordan) Rutherford, Danny (Kayla) Baumann and Drew Baumann; and sister-in-law, Lynn Janssen. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Ray (Pat) Janssen and Don Janssen.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at HOLY MOTHER OF CONSOLATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 651 N. Main St., Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025, with Father Randy Budnar presiding. Burial will take place at Prairie Mound Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday.
 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church, Oregon, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Keshena or Oregon Splash Pad, Oregon. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson Oregon
Funeral & Cremation Care
1150 Park St.
(608) 835-3515


Events

15
Visitation
Sat Feb 15, 2025 @ 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church • 651 North Main Street, Oregon, WI 53575
15
Mass of Christian Burial
Sat Feb 15, 2025 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church • 651 North Main Street, Oregon, WI 53575
No photos of Ronald have been shared yet.
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Candiss Feiler
Other •
Our hearts go out to the entire family during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the love and support surrounding you. From, Feiler family of Statesville, NC
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John & Becky Graham
Other •
Joan & family; please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. I always found Ron to be respectful, kind and direct. Joan, if we can assist you in any way, please let us know. John & Becky Graham
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Mike Watzke
Other •
A son-in-law’s tribute. I meet Ron 46 years ago when I started dating his daughter and eventual wife Jacki. Besides my dad, Ron was the most significant older male in my life. I wanted to share a few reflections of the Ron Janssen I knew. Ron was a humble person who never thought too highly of himself. He was always impressed by other’s accomplishments and success. He never spoke too much of himself or his own successes. Ron had a strong faith and showed it by his dedication to Catholic Church and prayer practice, especially the rosary. I remember on our wedding day when Ron walked Jacki down the aisle and gave me her hand, he looked us both in the eye, as he liked to do when he was serious, and said “keep religion in your life”. Ron was a very loyal person to his faith, wife, family, employer (IBM) and country. He served in the Navy and loved to fly America flag and has an America eagle with an excellence description hanging over his bathroom toilet. Ron was a very independent person and wanted to do things himself. I know it was hard on him when his strength started to decline, and he had to ask for help. I recall Jacki telling how disgusted he was that she had to carry in the 50lb bag of salt when he no longer could. After Ron’s 37-year career at IBM his next 31-year occupation was the cabin on Legend Lake. This lifestyle suited him perfectly and gave him a means for Connections, Creativity and Contributions. To Ron the cabin was a place to Connect with friend and especially family and grand kids. We all spent many summer weekends at the cabin with Ron and Joan enjoying food, beverages, happy hours and pontoon boat rides. Ron loved to express his Creativity though projects to customize and optimize. He built bird feeder hanger extensions, pontoon storage wheels, electrical bird feeder squirrel protecters, bar counter windows, and countless projects to improve the cabin. His Contribution to his family was the cabin would be his legacy gift that would live on through generations. Ron kept a photo album annotated with his feeling of the cabin and projects over time. One particular picture that comes to mind was a picture from the inside during a heavy snow fall. I image Ron sitting by the wood stove he loved, all warm and cozy with the temperate at 85 degrees, looking out at the white snow falling in silence and solitude. His caption on that picture was “sometimes this place seems like a bit of heaven.” Ron, you are now in heaven, and you will dwell in the house of the lord for endless days. Mike 2/12/2025
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Hedrich
Other •
Ron will be missed at the lake Upnorth in Keshena, WI. We have been neighbors with Ron and Joan since 1999. We felt so welcome to the lake when we built our cottage and soon became neighbors and friends. We shared many good times with our family’s over the years and will cherish all the memories. Our sympathy to Joan and the family. Dan, MarJean Hedrich and family
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Kelly Arndt
Other •
Sending my sympathy to Joan, Dave, Jacki, Doug, Sue, and their families. May the love and memories you shared with Ron give you solace. Kelly Arndt
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Charlie Esser
Other •
Ron worked on our Ibm mainframe at Dor. Great service man. He was our service technician when I started my job at Dor working 3rd shift and weekends. He never complained about getting called in off hours. Rest in peace my friend. Great memories from years ago.

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