James R. Jansen, of Deerbrook, died Monday, July 30, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was 79 years old. He was born on November 12, 1938, in Antigo, a son of Raymond and Justy (Denk) Jansen. He married Rose M. Marciniak on September 10, 1960, at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Antigo.

Jim attended Gillis Grade school and graduated from Antigo High School with the class of 1956.

Mr. Jansen served in the United States Navy from September 11, 1956 to November 13, 1959 as a jet mechanic on air craft carriers.

Following military service he attended South Milwaukee Technical School and worked in Milwaukee at Allen Bradley as a machinist for 13 years. Jim and his family moved to the Kempster area in 1971 where he owned and operated a dairy farm until 1994.

For 13 years he served on the Elcho School Board, 11 of those years as clerk. He also served on the Upham town board for 30 years and the Langlade County Board of Supervisors for 21 years having served as chairman for four years.

He was a member of the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service and the Farm Bureau Co-op, having served as an officer in both organizations for many years.

Jim enjoyed his field work and driving around on the tractor. He liked following the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers. He loved to shoot the bull with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Rose and five children, Bradley (Lori) Jansen of Windsor, Colorado, Annette (Randy) Igl, Denton, Texas, Patrick (Julie) Jansen of Marinette, Shawn Jansen of Summit Lake, Linnae (Matthew) Ignatius, Barneveld; also surviving are three siblings Betty (Roger) Schultz of Antigo, Donald (Lorna) Jansen of Robertsdale, Alabama, Alice (Ron) Ernhardt of Merrill; 18 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 4, 2018, at 10:30 AM at St. Wencel Catholic Church, Neva with Rev. Mathew Simonar officiating. Entombment will take place in Queen of Peace Mausoleum.

Visitation will be 3:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the Bradley Funeral Home and 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday also at the funeral home.

A parish wake service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.