Rodney Janssen Obituary (1954

Rodney Janssen, 57, of Clive passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 from complications of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. A gathering of family and friends will be from 11:00 - 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 4th at Ft. Des Moines Open Bible Church, Army Post Road in Des Moines with a memorial service to begin at 1:00 p.m. Rodney was born on June 28, 1954 to LeRoy and Viola (Larson) Janssen in Buffalo Center, Iowa. Rodney grew up on a dairy farm three miles south of highway 9, where they raised registered Holsteins. He attended and graduated from Lakota HS in 1972, ILCC with an AA degree, and the University of Iowa with three degrees, BA, MBA and law degree. Not long after high school he married his partner for life, Linda Ford on August 17, 1973 in Forrest City. Rodney taught high school social studies at Dysart from 1980 to 1982. His friend, Charles Kennicott, also died of ALS. Chuck was a partner with Rodney as a volleyball official and junior class sponsor. In 1982 Rodney and his wife, Linda, and son, Jason, moved to Siourney where Rodney worked as a representative of IDS, now known as Ameriprise. Rodney was a partner at Beving, Swanson and Forrest law firm of the East Village in Des Moines. He practiced law in Des Moines with Buffalo Center natives, Frank Smith & Sons and Wendell Harms. As Rodney got sick he retired and he missed his colleagues, staff, and his clients. He retired from the Army Reserves after 28 years in the service as Major. He spent 3years active duty, 10 years as an enlisted soldier and 18 years as an officer. Rodney is survived by his wife, Linda (Ford) Janssen of Clive, his son Jason (Darci) Janssen and twin granddaughters, Hayden and Harper of Urbandale. He is survived by his father, LeRoy Janssen, of Titonka, siblings Madonna (Tom) Linvog of Bellingham, WA, Royce (Dawn) Janssen of Lakota, IA, Lonnie (Susie) Janssen of Red Oak, TX, Dalon (fianc Marilee) Janssen of Brooklyn Center, MN, and Charnelle (Jerry) Price of Milford, DE. Rodney is also survived by his mother-in-law, Evelyn Ford and brother-in-laws, Jerry (Nancy) Ford of Lone Tree, IA, Jim (Janyce) Ford of Lone Tree, IA, David (Martha) Ford of Lone Tree, IA, Ken (Lisa) Ford of Kalona, IA and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Viola Janssen, in 2000. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the ALS Association. Fredregill Family Funeral Home in Baxter has been entrusted with the care of Rodney and his family.