Thomas "Tom" Janssen

FUNERAL HOME

Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home

302 Columbus St

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

Thomas Janssen Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Thomas "Tom" Janssen
Start: 2025-04-26T12:00:00.000Z
End: 2025-04-26T15:00:00.000Z
Location: Lake Louie Brewing

Thomas "Tom" Janssen

SUN PRAIRIE - Thomas "Tom" Janssen, 69, passed away peacefully in his sleep, following complications from ALS on Monday, March 31, 2025, in Poynette, Wisconsin.

Tom was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He stood by his wife, Joan, through her decade-long cancer journey, showing unwavering dedication. He instilled in his daughters, Christine Wright and Megan Wisniewski, an appreciation for fiscal responsibility and respect for the earth.

Tom is survived by daughters, Christine (Charles) Wright and Megan (Matthew) Wisniewski; and grandchildren, Colton, Teagan, and Harper Wright, and Juniper Wisniewski. He is also survived by his siblings, Elaine (Don) Hansen, Jim (Kathy) Janssen, Mark (Betsy) Janssen, and Rick (Kirsten) Janssen; father-in-law, Raymond Reisdorf; and siblings-in-law, Kathryn (Raymond) Young, MC (Val) Reisdorf, and Chuck (Susan) Reisdorf. Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Janssen; parents, Patricia and Raymond Janssen; brother, Robert Janssen; and mother-in-law, Lucy Reisdorf.

Born in Appleton, Wisconsin, Tom spent his early years in Green Bay before moving to Sun Prairie at the age of 12. He graduated from Sun Prairie High School in 1974. Though he and Joan met in high school, their love story truly began in college, leading to their marriage on July 12, 1980, in Sun Prairie.

Tom earned his degree in biology and general science with a secondary education certification from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. His career in the food processing industry spanned over four decades, beginning with seasonal work at Oconomowoc Canning in Sun Prairie and evolving as the industry changed. He dedicated 15 years to Badger Food Machinery before co-founding Janus Equipment Sales, where he spent 26 years covering an eight-state region and traveling over one and a half million miles.

Beyond his work, Tom had a profound love for nature and conservation. He found joy in sharing his homegrown produce, propagating plants for friends and family, and watching the sunset over Lake Wisconsin.

A celebration of Tom's life will be held on Saturday, April 26th 12-3:00 p.m. at Lake Louie Brewing (1079 American Way, Verona).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the ALS Association or Team Gleason in Tom's memory.

Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral & Cremation, Sun Prairie

608-837-5400 - [email protected]

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Madison.com on Apr. 6, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Janssen

Sponsored by Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home.

6 Entries

Lance Aasness

July 17, 2025

So sad to hear of Tom´s passing. I had the pleasure of working with Tom for several decades. Tom was a great man, loved his family, friends and work. He will be missed
Lance Aasness

Bob Buratowski

April 26, 2025

I had the honor to work with Tom over the years. A good honorable man who loved his family. Gone too soon.

Rest in peace Tom! Cheers to we meet again.

Peg Rickard

Planted Trees

Kim and Peg and Chelsey, Rufus and Luca.

April 22, 2025

There are no words that describe how much we will miss Tom (alias the Brute). He has been a best friend for almost 45 years. We were family. His sense of humor always made us smile. So many projects, vacations, games and just spending time on the lake. Memories made. Tell Joanie hi for us. We miss you both.

Stephen M Ward

April 17, 2025

I met Tom in 1978 when I interviewed him for a salesman job at Badger Food Machinery in Fall River, Wis. He had recently graduated from UW Madison. He was tall, slim and blonde with a very good personality. I liked him immediately and offered him the job 2 days later after talking with my boss, George Gundersen.

Tom and I became good friends and I went to his wedding to Joan in 1980. She too became a good friend over the years. Over the years Tom and I made many sales calls together with many major customers.

In the 1990's Tom and I both left BFM to form our own companies. Janssen Equipment Sales In Wisconsin and WB Machinery in Maryland. We kept in touch over the years and always had good times whenever we were together.

Our last meeting was lunch with in Sun Prairie with Don Niedermair and Mark Roedl on March 24th ( one week before Tom's passing)

Tom was weak and used a walker but his mind was sharp as always and he still had his sense of humor!

At 76 I am honored that I knew Tom for 47 years and I will always remember all the good times that we had together.
Steve Ward, Millersville, Maryland

Roberto Moreno

April 6, 2025

Tom was the nicest person i've worked with in the food industry. His company Janus Equipment represented Odenberg. I worked on the sorting side and on my first projects, he took it upon himself to teach me all about our own Odenberg peelers. Spent a good number of days with Tom on the road over the years helping customers and chasing business. One that does not escape my mind is at a horseradish processing plant. Tom will definitely be missed. Rest in Piece my friend.

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results