Rodger R. Janssen

LANCASTER - Rodger R. Janssen, age 74, passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, October 25, 2021, after a brief battle with Cancer. He was born on October 22, 1947, in Lancaster, WI to Eileen (Potter) Draves and Russell Janssen.

Rodger graduated from Lancaster High School in 1966 where he was proud to be the Co-Captain of the football team and the MVP his senior year when he led the team to the SWAL Championship.

On August 24, 1968, Rodger became the happiest man on earth when he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Mary Grace Leibfried at St. Clement Church in Lancaster. She could not resist his charming smile and Mary always said that she knew from the moment they met they would marry one day.

Rodger was a beloved figure in the Lancaster Community where he worked for the police department for 31 years, serving the last 25 years as the Chief of Police, retiring in August of 2000. His kindness to and genuine care for the people of Lancaster was a hallmark of his time with the police department.

After retirement, Rodger could often be found at the Lancaster Country Club, playing countless rounds of golf. He also enjoyed bowling, playing cards and cribbage. And, of course, socializing from his favorite seat at Doolittle’s, with one or more of his sons at his side, where he would offer his hard-earned wisdom to friends, patrons, waitresses and bartenders alike.

Rodger enjoyed cheering on the Badgers, Packers and Brewers and rarely missed watching a game. He was also an avid fan of Westerns; there is not one single John Wayne movie that he had not seen! He also loved to feed the squirrels around his house, and it was not unusual for them to come up onto his deck to visit with him as he sat outside.

Rodger would tell anyone that his most important role in life was that of “Papa”. From the minute his grandchildren were born, he was devoted to them. He loved watching their school and sports activities and loved nothing more than to provide them with anything they might wish for! His Kindness and Spirit will live on in them.

Rodger is survived by his sons: Rob (Tammy Stonko) of Myrtle Beach, SC and Jay (Melissa) of Baraboo, WI; his daughter-in-law: Denise Janssen of Lancaster and his three much-loved grandchildren: Anna and Adam Janssen and Braeden Bausch; sisters: Patti (Curtis) Busby of Mustang, OK and Alonna Pointon of Baraboo. He is also survived by his sister-in-law: Catherine “Kate” (Larry “Laker” Schildgen) Schindler of Lancaster; many nieces and nephews who have the greatest stories to tell about Uncle Rodger. He was definitely the “fun” uncle!

Rodger was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, on October 31, 2015; his son, Brian, on December 1, 2020; his parents and his stepfather, Robert Draves and his father and mother-in-law: Walter and Catherine Leibfried; brothers and sisters-in laws: Robert and Marcella Leibfried, Donovan and Helen Krohn, Leonard and Joan Stich, Thomas Leibfried and Phillip “Phil” Pointon; a niece, Sharon Krohn.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster at 1:00 p.m. with Fr. William Vernon officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Family and friends may call on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Rodger Janssen Memorial Fund has been established. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster is serving the family.

The family would like to thank all the caring workers at St. Croix Hospice as well as all the family and friends that visited, sent cards and food, called and made sure that Rodger knew just how much he was loved! He kept his sense of humor to the very end and liked nothing more than to give nurses & visitors a hard time & make them laugh. A special thank you to Rodger’s neighbors Lynn and Barb Millard and Bill and Sue Mahaney who were always there for him over the past few years and especially the last few months.