LLOYD ERVIN JANSSEN

Lloyd Ervin Janssen, age 81, of Pleasanton, died Friday evening, January 19, 2007 at his home. He was born June 5, 1925 in Rudd, Iowa the son of Herman Gordon and Mamie Holtz Janssen.

He served in the U.S. Army, First Battalion, from September 11, 1943 to January 12, 1946 during WWII. He was decorated for his service in the European Theater of Operations, having landed in England on D-Day, and on the continent in France, Germany, Belgium, and Czechoslovakia.

After returning from military service, he trained as a diesel mechanic and continued to use those skills throughout his life, most notably when he worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad in Colorado, and as a rancher. He raised cattle and bred horses near Fort Collins until moving to Sedalia, Missouri in the early 1970s. There he was a mechanic and shop foreman at Trans-Central Suppliers, retiring in 1988. Throughout his life he continued to raise and train Arabian horses.

His horses were his life-long passion, and he took pride in helping young people learn to ride, train, and own their own horses. He was instrumental in founding and sponsoring the Westernaires, a nationally known volunteer group dedicated to teaching independence and responsibility to kids through their precision riding performances and horse ownership. Lloyd loved to dance, and tell stories. He collected Western videos, horse art and figurines, and tack. He worked with leather, made or fixed almost anything, and built his house and stable as well as equipment for the ranch or barn.

Lloyd is survived by a brother, Merle Janssen, Marble Rock, Iowa; a great-niece, Amy Mullin, Marble Rock, Iowa; and two long-time friends, Sylvia Shepard, Fort Scott and Faith Lovell, Sedalia, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Art Janssen, Gene Janssen, and Vernon Janssen.

The Rev. Ray Dobbins will conduct graveside services for Lloyd at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2007 at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. Family and friends will meet at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home at 11:30 a.m. and leave for the cemetery at 12:10 p.m. Services are under the direction of Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, Fort Scott.