Benjamin D. (Bud) Janssen, 86, of Northwood, Iowa, died on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with the Rev. Daniel Hart officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood. Visitation will be today from 5 to 8 p.m. at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood.
Benjamin was born on Oct. 11, 1923, in Ackley, Iowa, to Hannes and Fannie (Riebkes) Janssen. After schooling he entered into the United States Army, serving in Company D. 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division during World War II. He was transferred to the 82nd Airborne after the war and then guard duty at Gen. Eisenhower’s headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. He served in the Army from 1943 to 1946 and was stationed in Germany, Austria and France. After service he attended the G.I. farm school.
Bud married Doris Deardeuff on Dec. 4, 1949, in Mason City, Iowa. They farmed on the family farm east of Northwood until moving into Northwood in 1977. He was a former board member of the Northwood Elevator as well as serving on the Worth County Fair Board. He enjoyed trail riding with his daughter, dancing at the Surf and was a member of the Grapevine Twist Square Dance Club of Albert Lea.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents; infant son; one brother, Don; one sister, Joan Bright.
He is survived by his wife, Doris of Northwood; daughter, Mary Janssen and son, John Janssen, both of Northwood.