Mary "Mary Jo" Janssen

Mary Joan “Mary Jo” (Mrs. Willard G. Janssen), age 86 of DePere, Wisconsin, died peacefully at her home, Tuesday March 15, 2016 surrounded by her eight children devoted husband and extended family. She is survived by her husband, Willard and eight children: Christy Meulemans (Dennis) of Howard, Angel Janssen (Reid Susmark) of Toivola, Michigan, Beth Janssen (Paul Klein) of Amherst Junction, Mark Janssen (Meg Doolan) of Kiel, Gil-Marie Janssen (Dan Carr) of Cedarburg, Jack Janssen (Jan) of Green Bay, Greg Janssen of Phoenix, Az., Jo-Ellen Randolph (Bryan) of DePere; 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and counting. Also a brother, Billy Voegtli of Easton, Maryland, sister, Julie Zahn of DePere. She was born to John and Gladys Voegtli on May 6, 1929, in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, the oldest of eight children. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers; Joseph Robert, Herbert Eugene and sisters; Nancy Wessinger, Kathleen Voegtli and Paula Kindsgrab. She graduated from Holy Cross Academy, High school (1947) and Dunbarton College (1951), both located in Washington D.C. Mary Jo and Willard Janssen were married in Bethesda, Maryland on June 30, 1951. They resided in Philadelphia while Bill completed his doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. She enjoyed a long career as Bill's assistant in Veterinary Medicine when they relocated to Wrightstown Wisconsin on July of 1957. She was his partner in marriage for 65 years. While living in Wrightstown, Mary Jo started the Girl Scouting program. She was also instrumental in starting the parish religious education (CCD) at St Paul's Church there. The family moved to their current home in DePere in 1969. The family joined St Francis Xavier Parish where Mary Jo was involved in the Parish Council in the mid-1970's. She and Bill they have been active members ever since. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caring and loving staff at Unity Hospice who have been so helpful through these past few months as well as to the parish staff from St Francis Xavier who have been so diligent and regular with their home visits to Mary Jo. Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Webster Avenue, De Pere, on Thursday, March 17, from 4-7pm, with a rosary service to conclude the evening. Visitation will continue on Friday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 220 S. Michigan Street, De Pere, from 9:00am until 9:45am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am with the Rev. Richard Getchel officiating. Interment in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, De Pere. Mary Jo was friendly to everyone she met, and would never say “good bye,” but would always prefer “bye for now,” knowing she would see you again.

Reception:
The Fr. Tony Dolski Parish Center
220 S. Michigan St.
De Pere, WI 54115