Bill Jansen, 74, Little Chute passed away Saturday, March 19, 2011 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital with his family in attendance.

As a proud father, loving grandfather, and devoted husband, Bill cherished family above all else. His passion for life and his willingness to give was second only to his love for his family. And for those who knew him, knew he had the most kind and generous of hearts. Bill was a storyteller, always sure to captivate and always sure to leave you with a smile. He enjoyed hearing a good joke and reveled even more in telling one. He loved a day on the lake fishing and a quiet sunny afternoon spent sitting with his best friend and wife of 50 years, Doris. Throughout his life he touched many people's lives. He gave of himself, his time, and his talents freely. God blessed him with the gift of carpentry which he shared without pause. He was a builder of furniture, he was a builder of homes, he was a builder of friendships, but most of all he was a builder of family and unconditional love. For us, his family; we think of him as husband and partner, father and grandfather, protector and teacher, brother and best friend. He was a beautiful soul and we're sure God is as proud to have him as one of his angels in heaven, as we were to have him as an angel on earth. We will miss him dearly yet remember him always. Some of Bill's most noteworthy accomplishments were working hard at Thilmany's for 47 yrs, Jacob Coppus American Legion Post #258, inducted into St. John's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997 and donating 12 gallons of blood to the blood bank.

He is survived by his true love and wife of 50 years, Doris; his five children: Sue (Todd) Heuvelmans of De Pere, Mike (Laurie) Jansen of Stockbridge , Mary Jo (Rick) Santkuyl of Duluth MN, Sara (Jon) Milheiser of Darboy, and Jill (David) Delfosse of Appleton; fourteen grandchildren: Chris (Tara), Leah, Brook, and Katrina Jansen, Katey, Jacob, and Matthew Santkuyl; Abbie, Emmie, and Nicholas Milheiser; Grace, Isabelle, William, and Claire Delfosse; his brother, John (Elaine) Jansen; sister, Betty (Ken) Geiger; sister-in-laws, Deloris "Toots" Jansen , Darlene Jansen, and Maggie Jansen; Marian (Jack) VandeHey, Janice (Ken) VandeHey, Cathy (Dick) Bauer, Deb (Steve) Halverson, Anne (Glenn) Higgins, Patti Salm; brother-in-laws, Ray Salm, Jim Salm, Roman "Junior" (Virgie) Salm, Jerry (Lois) Salm, Bob (Gail) Salm, and Dick (Peg) Salm.

He was preceded in death by his infant granddaughter Hannah Delfosse; parents, John and Anna Jansen; sisters, Mildred "Mickey" (Donny) Farrell, Joyce (Elmer) Van Gompel; brothers Joe Jansen, Earl Jansen, Tom Jansen, Roger Jansen, and infant sisters Mickey and Grace; parents-in-law, Roman (Marie) Salm; and brother-in-law, Harold "Ringo" Salm.

The family will receive relatives and friends at ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH (323 S. Pine St. Little Chute) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2011 with Funeral Mass at 5 p.m. The Rev. Msgr. James Vanden Hogen will officiate. Military rites conducted by the Jacob Coppus American Legion Post 258 will immediately follow. Burial St. John Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Timothy Goggins & staff, and the Oncology Department of St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Appleton for their care, compassion, and willingness to stand by Bill and his family in their time of need.