Obituary of Joan Viola Jansen

Joan Viola (Griesbach) Jansen, age 84, formerly of Greenville, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home, with family by her side, on August 12, 2023. Joan was the youngest of ten children born to the late Alois and Sophia (Gresl) Griesbach. A blonde haired, green-eyed, beauty, she was raised on the family farm and spoiled rotten by her seven brothers and 2 sisters. She attended St. Mary's Catholic Grade School, and graduated from St. Mary's High School, Menasha, Wisconsin in 1956. Joan married the love of her life, Norman (Sam) Jansen, on June 18, 1957, and accompanied him around the world during his 26 year Air Force career. They recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Together they raised five children: Leonard, Julie, James (d. 1983), Michelle and Stephanie. They remodeled and renovated so many homes we've lost count. Joan loved to take used things and make them beautiful. She was the ultimate homemaker and took great pride and joy in her homes and crafts. Every weekend Joan had an adventure planned for the family. She loved hiking, picnics, animals, biking, anything outdoors. She was an avid reader and creative writer. She chronicled her memories into numerous heartwarming short stories. Her love of life, quick wit, and laughter was infectious and will be deeply missed. Joan is survived by her husband, Norman; children, Leonard (Barbara) Jansen, Julie (Robert) Allen, Michelle (Howard) Carmichael, and Stephanie (Rudy) Rodriguez; 11 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her brother in law Richard (Patti) Jansen; sisters in law, Laurie, Dorothy, Evelyn, Laverne Griesbach, Bernice Jansen; daughter in law Rita (Jansen) Stacey, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Preceding Joan in death are her beloved son, James Jansen; parents, Alois and Sophia Griesbach; her brothers and sisters, Roman(Loraine) Griesbach, Mildred (Norbert) Sigl, Harold Griesbach, Gerald (Tita) Griesbach, Sally (Frank) Hardy, LeRoy (Eunice) Griesbach, Orville Griesbach, Donald Griesbach, and Russell Griesbach; brothers in law, Clem (May) and Leon Jansen; and sister in law Claudia (Herman) Vandenhoogen. The interment of Joan's ashes will be celebrated on October 6, 2023 at 1 PM at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. In lieu of flowers and other expressions of sympathy, the family requests donations be made to the Saint Vincent DePaul Society. The family also wishes a special thanks to the Prestige Assisted Living Facility of Lake Havasu City, AZ.