Herman Jansen's Obituary
Mt. Pleasant- Mr. Jansen, 89, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, May 16, 2011. He was born in Racine, on Oct. 13, 1921 to the late Herman and Katherine (nee: Rystedt (VandeKorput) Jansen, Sr. He lived all of his life in Racine. He served in the United States Navy in World War II from 1942-1945 in the South Pacific on the USS Holland. He was united in marriage to the former Winona Stewart on June 8, 1946. He was employed at Jacobsen-Textron for 44 years retiring April 1984. He was a lifetime member of the Racine Yacht Club. At 17 years old, he won the 1939 Great Lakes Junior Sailing Championship Races, the first and only time the Racine Yacht Club won this. Herman was known for his quirky sense of humor, creativity, elaborate handwriting, love of sailing and above all, family.
He is survived by his wife, Winona Jansen; daughters, Gail (Charles) Smith of Elm Grove, WI, Terri (Charles Ptaschinski) Peterson of Shawano, WI; son, Steven Jansen of Surprise, AZ; grandchildren, Ronnie Smith, Adam Smith, Megan Peterson, Katie (Ken) Kadonsky; sister, Kay Fenwick of Los Angeles, CA and several nieces, nephews and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Ann Steinbrink and Marie Schuman.
Funeral services will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home 1212 Lathrop Ave, on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Holly Anderle officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be designated to the RYC Junior Sailing Program.
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