Ralph E. Janssen

Ralph Edward Janssen, 96, of Erie, passed away at 6:05 p.m., Friday, May 4, 2018 at the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute.

He was born June 18, 1921 in rural Erie, Kansas to Earnest O. and Sarah E. (Foster) Janssen. He grew up and attended school in Erie where he graduated from Erie High School. He later attended Parsons Technical School.

On January 29, 1942, he and Dicy E. Williamson were married. Following marriage, the couple lived in rural Erie where he farmed and did carpentry work. The family later moved into town where Ralph worked for the City of Erie in the electrical department until his retirement.

He was a member of the First Christian Church in Erie where he served as an elder and, in earlier years, was a member of Kiwanis. Ralph served on the volunteer fire department for 25 years and was recipient of the Century Farm Award presented by Farm Bureau.  He especially enjoyed backpacking and had played Santa Claus for many years.

Survivors include:

Four Sons – Donald E. Janssen and his wife, Helen, of Erie, KS

Robert L. Janssen and his wife, Pam, of Norwalk, CA

Melvin L. Janssen and his wife, Barbara, of Goldsboro, NC

Gary G. Janssen and his wife, Rhonda, of Erie, KS

Two Daughters – Marsha Cleaver and her husband, Wayne, of Cleora, OK

Catherine Cleaver and her husband, Eldon, of Chanute, KS

Thirteen Grandchildren

One Step-Grandson

Twenty-Seven Great-Grandchildren

Two Step-Great-Grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Dicy Janssen, on August 26, 2017; one son, Marion Lynn Janssen on August 10, 1973; two brothers, Leo Janssen and Earnest Janssen; and three sisters, Edith Hollis, Alice Anderson, and Dorothy Bonine.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 11, 2018 at the First Christian Church in Erie. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery near Erie. Services are under the direction of the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church in Erie. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.