JANSEN: Bernard Joseph
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September 26, 1916 鈥� March 22, 2016
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Tuesday, March 22, 2016, witnessed the fields of eternity gain a loving father and dedicated farmer. Bernard Joseph Jansen was born on Tuesday, September 26, 1916, on his father鈥檚 homestead 鈥� NE 10-35-19-W2nd (five miles east of LeRoy). He was the sixth child of Gerhard and Bertha (nee Briske) JANSEN. In the fall of 1922, Bernard began Miss Raaen鈥檚 Grade 1 class at Bright Spot School #3043; he maintained contact with her well into the 1990s. Bernard completed his grade 12 at St. Peter鈥檚 boarding school at Muenster. Due to the depression, the 鈥淒irty Thirties鈥�, Bernard was unable to go into pharmacy so he began farming with his father and brother. In the fall he joined a threshing crew to 鈥減itch鈥� bundles for the grand sum of ONE dollar per day. During World War II, Bernard volunteered for the armed services thus preventing the possible conscription of his brother. He joined the Air Force and trained to be a pilot and ended up a navigator. The war ended in 1945 with Bernard stationed in B.C. He then worked at a smelter in Trail, BC before returning to farming with his brother. They eventually went on their own. Bernard met Matilda Weisgerber of Watson and they were married April 29, 1952. Almost a year later, Bernard and Matilda welcomed their first child, Delwyn, and then added a child a year for the next four years: Bernadette, Timothy, Geralyn, and Benedict. Bernard loved his family. He was a devoted father and grandfather who looked forward to family gatherings and visits. He took a keen interest in what each family member was doing and he also shared many entertaining life stories, all of which will be treasured by his family. His positive outlook and generous sense of humour afforded him many friends. Bernard was a community minded and devout faith-filled man. There are many examples to share but two of note would be his involvement on the founding board of the Midway Cooperative and his active work on the building of the original Holy Rosary Church in LeRoy. Bernard lived his faith actively and daily; his favorite prayer was the rosary. In the early 2000s, Bernard began residing in Humboldt but continued to enjoy his ability to help on the farm. Bernard farmed until 2014, farming more years than the Canadian Wheat Board existed. He moved into St. Mary鈥檚 Villa in 2013 where he lived until his passing. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of almost 64 years, Matilda (nee Weisgerber) Jansen; their five children, 11 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren: Delwyn Jansen; Bernadette Jansen; Timothy (Sandra Lynn) Jansen and family, Andrew (Dawn Walker) and son Vincent, Bonnie (Christian) Haus and children Arie and Summer, Dean (Heather Stevenson), and Christine; Geralyn (David) Hall and family, Donna (Aaron) Rogers and children Aidan and Natalie, Jonathan (Alina Janzen), and Daniel; and Benedict (Lorraine) Jansen and family, Benjamin (Kristin Dietrich) and children Veronika, Alice and Gretta, Myron, Erik (Trisha Bodnarchuk), and Breanna (Logan Gerwing); and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother, Bertha (1948); father, Gerhard (1950); and by all his siblings: Johann (1910), Kristina (1913), Henry (1918), Gerhart (2004), Johanna Raab (2004), and Rev. Sister Agnes (2009), a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception. The Prayer Service for Bernard was held at Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, on Monday, March 28, 2016, at 7:30 p.m., led by David Hall. Scripture readers were Donna Rogers and Breanna Jansen and the eulogy was delivered by Ben and Tim Jansen. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., celebrated 听by Fr. Cosmas Epifano, OSB, and Fr. John Hesse. Others taking part were: Daniel Hall, cross bearer; Bonnie Haus and Erik Jansen, scripture readers; Ben Jansen, intentions; Berni and Delwyn Jansen, gift bearers; Geri Hall and Lorraine Jansen, communion ministers; Ron and Marlene VanDresar, memorial table attendants; Jonathan Hall, Benjamin Jansen, Andrew Jansen, Christine Jansen, Dean Jansen and Myron Jansen, urnbearers. An honor guard was formed by members of the Royal Canadian Legion. Interment followed in the Legion Section of the Humboldt Public Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the St. Mary鈥檚 Villa Foundation or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
