Barbara E. Janssen, 62, of Howard passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on Wednesday January 2, 2013 after a courageous three-year battle against cancer. She was born November 24, 1950 to Alice (Smith) Janssen and the late Norbert Janssen. Barbara was a 1968 graduate of West De Pere High School. Barbara spent her twenties as a devoted wife and mother before embarking on a working career. Her career took her full circle, from a bank teller to jewelry sales with Rost Jewelers and Williams Jewelers to the insurance industry and finally, back to a bank teller. Barbara truly was a people person who found fulfillment helping others. Above all, she excelled as a mom and especially a grandma. She loved to create beauty, whether tending to her flower gardens, knitting prayer shawls or crafting stain glass artwork. Barbara's was a fun loving, adventurous soul. She enjoyed the yearly family camping trips, fishing, ATVing and snowmobiling. Most of all she enjoyed her travel adventures with her sister Pat. Barbara cherished her grandchildren. Joy to Grandma Barb was teaching the next generation the fine art of puddle jumping and dancing in the rain. Barbara was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Green Bay and found great comfort in her faith. No matter the challenges she faced, Barbara met them head on with dignity, class, and courage.
Survivors include her children; Dawn (David Seidl) Salm, Carolyn (Jamie) Maricque, and Mike (Anna) Salm; her adoring grandchildren; Hannah Seidl, Sam Boyd, Audrey and Lindsey Maricque, and Logan Salm. Barbara is further survived by her mother, Alice Janssen, her siblings; Donna (Earl) Thyssen, Nancy Leiterman, Pat Vickman, Jack (Mary) Janssen, Bob (Sue) Janssen; as well as Peter Salm, Alan Dobesh, and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her dad, Norbert Janssen, her daughter Jennifer A. Salm, bothers in law Robert Vickman and David Leiterman, as well as her special friend Harvey Trader.
Friends may call at the RYAN FUNERAL HOME 305 N. Tenth Street in De Pere on Sunday January 6, 2013 from 4 7pm; with a parish prayer service at 4pm. Visitation will continue after 9:30am Monday at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Green Bay, until time of service. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am with Fr. Jose Antonio Castaneda officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ryanfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Barbara's name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org .
The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Ruth Warren, and the staff at Green Bay Oncology, St. Mary's Radiology, Woodside Assisted Living and Unity Hospice.
