Glen George Janssen, 81, of Avon

Funeral services are 10:30 AM, Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at the Danzig Baptist Church, rural Avon, SD with Pastor Aaron Rush officiating. Burial is in the church cemetery.Visitation is Monday from 2 PM until 7 PM with the family present from 5-7 PM at the church. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel in Avon is in charge of arrangements.

Glen George Janssen, 81, passed away quietly Thursday, November 27.2008 at Ernie & Vicky's home in Sioux Falls, SD, after a courageous battle with congestive heart failure. Glen was born February 15, 1927 to Jasper & Lizzie (Engel) Janssen in Avon, SD. He attained the age of 81 years, nine months and 13 days.

Glen attended country school through the eighth grade. He was united in marriage on September 13, 1950, at Tyndall, to Bernice Berndt. They made their home north of Avon until 1965, when they moved to Sioux Falls. After moving to Sioux Falls, Glen was an active member of Hillcrest (Northside) Baptist Church. He worked for the state highway dept, then went to work for the Sioux Falls Schools as a custodian until he retired in 1990.

After his retirement, Glen and Bernice moved back to Avon, where he was an active member at the Danzig Baptist Church. He enjoyed having the neighbors visit, going to men's church breakfast, camping, fishing and hunting. He really enjoyed the last few years when the hunters from Illinois came to SD to go hunting and everyone going out to eat and have an enjoyable evening of talking about what everyone had done the past year.

After moving in with Ernie & Vicky on November 16 his favorite thing was having the great grandchildren visit him, we could see his face light up whenever they came to see him. Even though he passed away on Thanksgiving day he had a wonderful Thanksgiving with his family the Sunday before. The first thing he asked us when we got him settled was when do we roast the turkey, so we went to work and made sure he had a Thanksgiving with his family. The whole weekend with him was great.

In his 81 years, Glen was blessed with two children, four grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He is survived by his son, Ernie (Vicky) Janssen of Sioux Falls; his grandchildren and great grandchildren: Jessica (Jay), Typhinie, Courtland and Mikayla Johnson of Brandon; Janell (Keith) Brouwer, Skylar Mork, Robbie Mork, Jaecie and Tony Brouwer of Valley Springs: Jacob (Sheila), Alexandria, Samantha and Matthew of Brandon; two sisters: Gladys Haskers of Yankton and Shirley Branaugh of Atascadara, CA; brother, Don (Betty) Janssen of Avon; sister-in-law, Joyce Janssen of Avon; and numerous relatives and friends.

Sadly, he was preceded in death by his wife Bernice on March 20, 2005; his daughter, Eloise in 1966; his grandson, Jeromy; his parents; and his brother, James.

MUSIC: Male Quartet of Loren Jurrens, Tony Eben, Verlin Buchholz and Jerry Finck will sing Farther Along and Victory in Jesus. There will be a congregational hymn of Amazing Grace. Julie Jaeger will be playing the piano.

CASKET BEARERS: Terry Berndt, Randy Berndt, Keith Janssen, Doug Janssen, Brian Janssen and Fred Hebner. HONORARY BEARERS: All of Glen's nieces and nephews.