CHARLES JANSSEN, age 84, of Luverne, died Friday, March 4, 2016, at the Luverne Sanford Hospice Cottage.  He was born March 31, 1931, in Sibley, IA, to Meine and Gladys (Pontow) Janssen.
In 1948 Charles enlisted in the U.S. Navy for four years, serving through the Korean War.  After he was honorably discharged in 1952, he returned to Sibley, IA.
Charles was united in marriage to Jennie DeBoer, on January 12, 1953, in Ellsworth.  After their marriage they farmed for seven years.  In 1961 Charles was appointed acting Postmaster of the Ellsworth Post Office.  In 1963 he took a Job as rural mail carrier for the Ellsworth area.  His wife of thirty nine years died in 1992.  Charles retired in 1996 with thirty nine years of service.
In April of 1996 he married Gerda DeBoer.  They enjoyed their retirement traveling to Arizona in the winter season.  In 2007 they purchased a home and moved to Luverne.
Charles was a member of the Zion Presbyterian Church, in Ellsworth where he was very active, serving as an Elder, Deacon and Sunday School teacher.   He was also active in the community serving on the Fire Department, School Board, City Council, American Legion, and was also elected to the State Board of Minnesota Rural Letter Carriers Association.
He is survived by his wife, Gerda, Luverne; two sons, Steve Janssen, Sacramento, CA;; Mark (Sharon) Janssen, Ellsworth; daughter Diane Janssen, Sacramento, CA; stepson, Harlan (Doraliza)  DeBoer, Wylie, TX; step daughter, Linda (Russ) Guerue, Brookings, SD; two grandchildren, Thomas (Carrie) Janssen, Kimberly (Daniel) DeBeer,and one step-grandchild Camila DeBoer; one great grandson, Mason De Beer;stepbrother, Fred (Myrna) Hosteller, Hillsbaro, OR; sister-in-law, Marlys Janssen, Chaska, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Jennie, infant daughter, Suzanne; three sisters, Ruby Edmonds, Ruth Janssen, Marlys Thorton; two brothers Marvin and Vern Janssen; sister-in-law, Vi Janssen; two brothers-in-law, Ed Edmonds and Bill Thorton.
Visitation will be 4-8 Tuesday March 8, 2016 at the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. Visitation will also be held 9:30 to 10:30 Wednesday at the Church. Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am Wednesday March 9, 2016, at the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth, officiated by Rev. Paul Snyder. Burial will full military honors provided by the Ellsworth American Legion & VFW will be at the Grand Prairie Cemetery, Ellsworth. Arrangements are being handled by Dingmann Funeral Home, Adrian.

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