Wayne Raymond Janssen

Wayne Raymond Janssen, age 97 1/2 (he demanded we add the ½), passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026.

He is survived by his wife Ardean Janssen and his children, Valerie Tebbs (Jeff), Draper, Utah, and Blane Janssen (Ann) Lubbock, Texas & stepchildren, Larry Maynes, Kelly Maynes (Lori), Wendy Schirack (Andy), and Todd Maynes(Amy) all in Utah. He also left 9 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren.

Wayne was born in the small town of Wanblee, South Dakota, on August 19, 1928 to Harry Wilder and Sylvia “Sally” Wulf Berg on the Ogalda Lakota reservation (none of them were tribe members, however). He grew up traveling with his mom through the Black Hills of South Dakota to Metskers Ranch, Nebraska, to Alfalfa, Carnegie and Granite, Oklahoma; and Grand Junction, Colorado, before ending up in Salt Lake City, Utah after his Navy service.

Wayne graduated from Granite High School in Salt Lake City. At the age of 16, joined the United States Navy (it was before computers and you could write whatever you wanted on the enlistment application as your birthdate, so he reported himself as being 18. He served at the end of WWII on the Island of Saipan. He flew on a Navy weather airplane. While flying one day they flew into a storm causing the airplane to crash. Wayne was dropped into the ocean injuring himself on a coral reef while swimming to shore, trying to beat the sharks.

Wayne loved sports so he became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 15. This was so he would be eligible to play on the Church basketball team in his ward, as that was a requirement at the time. He had a lifelong dedication to his Church which sparked his commitment to service. He served in the Bishopric and later went on a Mission to Cove Fort, with his wife, Ardean. Wayne had a great love of Jesus Christ and of our Heavenly Father. He was a valiant servant of our Lord.

His mother, Sally and his sister, Jodi (Joann) moved to Lubbock, Texas while Wayne was in the Navy. Wayne followed after he returned from the Navy. He became the owner of a local racetrack (which he loved), where he met his first wife to be, Virginia “Ginny” MaGouirk. Together they lived in Lubbock, Texas where they had two children, Valerie and Blane. He was a great salesman, first selling appliances and then starting his insurance career.

He moved to Salt Lake City in 1965 and started up with insurance there. He maintained his office on State Street in Salt Lake for over 25 years, winning many awards and trips during that time. He then moved his office to Holladay and kept working until age 94, when he decided to retire. He also worked in the Boy Scouts of America as a Scout Master for over 20 years.

Wayne married his Eternal Companion, Ardean Maynes Janssen in September of 1987 adding 4 stepchildren to his family. After they retired, they moved to South Jordan for the remainder of Wayne’s life.

Anchors away, Wayne!!! In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider making a donation to Tunnels to Towers Foundation T2.org

Wayne will be remembered for his happy and cheery demeanor and love for all his family and friends. He always had a joke or kind word for everyone he met. He was always looking for ways to serve his Church, family and friends, and even strangers.

There will be Graveside Service held on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Memorial Holladay Cemetery, 4900 South Memory Lane (2000 East), Holladay, Utah. There will also be a Celebration of Life, to be held on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at the South Jordan View Retirement Community, located at 11352 South Redwood Road, South Jordan, Utah, to be held in the main Banquet Room (come thru the main entrance), from 1:00-4:30 pm. All family and friends are welcome to attend.