Robert H. Janssen

Robert H. Janssen (a/k/a Spence), 97 ½, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026. Born July 20, 1928 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, he grew up during the Great Depression. His childhood was brief, as he lost his mother at the age of 10 and started working mowing lawns and at age 13, setting pins at Van's Bowling Alley to help the family.

After high school Bob moved to Milwaukee and worked at Briggs & Stratton until he was drafted into the Army where he fought in the Korean War. Literally half a century later he vividly recalled the horrors of the war and still experienced nightmares from it. Still, Bob never once complained about having to serve his country in a war that was called a "police action."

Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he met and married the love of his life, Katherine J. Stadtmueller. Kate finished nursing school and Bob began his career as a patrolman with the Wisconsin State Patrol. While working for the State Patrol for more than 27 years, he was proud to say he never once had to pull his gun from his holster. He always treated people with dignity and respect.

After retiring as a patrolman, Bob was hired as a groundskeeper at Sargento Foods. He agreed with Lou Gentine that their family hired good people and treated them like family. After 40 years, at age 97 ½ , he continued to work part time at Sargento Foods as it provided him with a purpose. He cherished and truly appreciated Gene Liebe, Louie, and Lou Gentine for taking time to regularly have breakfast with him. Their generosity cannot be understated.

Bob was an avid sports fan, listening to the Brewers on the radio and never missing a Packer game. He excelled in baseball and golf. However, his greatest success came in table tennis, where he was sponsored by local Oshkosh businesses and traveled by train to Chicago to compete at the highest level.

In his later years, Bob was blessed to have the following "Earth Angels" help him out when needed: Jimmy, Nels, Marge, Tom, Dayna, Colleen, Deb and Lynell. His nurse Ann and pharmacist Heather kept him ready to face the world after almost a century. To each of these friends of the family, we are eternally grateful.

Bob loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They were the light of his life. His family meant everything to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Janssen, Virginia Janssen; his sisters, Jean, June, Janie, Patsy; his wife Katherine Janssen, and daughter Mary Jo (Janssen) Olschesky.

He is survived by his daughters Anne Janssen Gavigan (Tim), Jean Janssen Ristow (Gary), son Robert J. Janssen (Lorie), son-in-law Jim Olschesky, grandchildren Jennifer Olschesky (Justin), Amy Olschesky Kolpin (Kent), Kristin Ristow Schell (Josh), Zachary Janssen, Joshua Janssen, Elizabeth Gavigan Stapleton, Kelly Gavigan Swanson and great grandchildren, Owen and Luke Kolpin, brother in law Franz Stadtmueller.

A funeral mass will be held at Saint John the Baptist Church in Plymouth, Wisconsin on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. Friends and family can gather at 11:00 a.m, per Bob's wishes please dress casually. Following Mass, Military Rites will be conducted by the Plymouth VFW Post 5612.

In memory of Bob please try to help the hungry, poor, needy, underprivileged and underserved because they need it the most.

The family greatly appreciated the excellent quality of care Bob received at Aurora Hospital in Sheboygan and at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.