Ronald C. Jansen
April 22, 1927 - July 9, 2009

Ronald C. Jansen was the type of man people liked to remember. People remember him as a dedicated teacher, loving husband, father, grandfather and as a true role-model for many hundreds of students.

Born in the front bedroom of his home on April 22, 1927, in Norway, Michigan, Ron was second youngest in a large German-Swedish Upper Peninsula family. His father, William M. Jansen and his mother, Emma Cecilia Hiller Jansen, were parents to five boys and three girls, one of whom, Ione, died in infancy. Attending Norway Public Schools from kindergarten through his senior year in 1945, Ron was already in the U.S. Navy during World War II when his class held their commencement ceremony. His eldest brother, George, picked up his diploma.

During WW II, Ron served aboard LST 928, in Long Beach, California, where he achieved the rank of Boiler Tender Third Class, before his honorable discharge Aug. 4, 1946. Just before the War ended, Ron and his shipmates were issued cold weather gear for the planned invasion of Japan. As he remembered, he was very glad when the lights in San Francisco came on signaling V-J Day. After discharge, he then joined the Naval Reserve from May, 1945, until August, 1946. It was during the short time he was home from the Navy that he met the woman who was to be the love of his life, Nicoletta Ann Ganga.

Living in Wisconsin with his brother, he worked for more than a year before deciding to attend Northern Michigan College (now University) to become an industrial arts teacher. Ron was able to afford Northern because of the GI Bill. He was the first, and only one, in his immediate family to graduate from college.

On September 4, 1948, Ron and Nicky were married in Iron Mountain. They honeymooned at Jackson Lakeside Cottages in Eagle River, WI where they were serenaded with banging pots and pans by fellow vacationers.

Linda Kaye was born while Ron was a student at Northern. As Nicky worked nights at Bell Telephone Co. as an operator, Ron took care of their new daughter and studied for his classes. In 1952, Ron, Nicky and Linda moved to the Lower Peninsula where Ron started teaching industrial arts at Holton High School. In addition to his teaching duties, he was appointed principal, athletic director, junior class advisor, started a drivers training program and founded the seven-member basketball team. Ron also started the National Honor Society at Holton. In addition, he and Nicky also accompanied the 14 seniors of the Class of 1953, to Chicago where they stayed at the Palmer House.

After two years at Holton, Ron interviewed for an industrial arts and civics teaching position at North Muskegon High School. He also coached junior varsity football. It was the next year in 1955, that Ron and Nicky moved to their first home and the twins, Ron and Barb, were born.

During his 35 years of teaching at North Muskegon High School, Ron was Student Council advisor for 20 years and started the drivers training summer program for which he was renowned. Ron also coached boys tennis for one year, admitting he knew little about the sport, but still winning the conference championship. He also coached JV football for a number of seasons and then worked on the sidelines for 50 years, even after retirement. At NMHS, Ron was head of the Fine and Practical Arts Department and founded the Industrial Arts Club. Two high school yearbooks were dedicated to this long-time educator.

Ron was honored as a finalist for the Michigan Teacher of the Year and also selected by an NMHS student for the Excellence in Education Award. After retirement, Ron was honored by the community as the first recipient of the North Muskegon Citizen of the Year award.

He served his community on the North Muskegon Recreation Board for 19 years, as part of the Muskegon County Manpower Advisory Council, and finally as a member of the Walker Library and Community Center committee that built the new facility.

While living in North Muskegon, Ron belonged to the Community United Methodist Church and he and Nicky were founding members of the Dialog Group. In retirement, Bubba (as the grandchildren called him) and Nicky traveled extensively both in their motor homes and abroad and loved spending time with Karen, Emily, Stephanie, Michelle, James, J.D. and R.J.(named after his grandfather.) The trips with his four granddaughters in their motor homes were legendary. After motorhoming ended, he and Nicky would winter in Sarasota where he spent time with Ron and Shari and their three sons. After his beloved Nicky died in 2003, Ron moved to Grand Ledge in 2007 to Independence Village, a retirement apartment, after living in North Muskegon for 54 years.

Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Nicoletta; his parents, Emma and William Jansen; brothers, George, Irving, Howard and Edward Jansen and sisters, Margaret Nygaard and Myrtle Vanitvelt. He is survived by his son, Ronald C. (Shari) Jansen, Jr., daughters, Barbara Ann (Thomas) Shepard and Linda Kaye (Kenneth) Kolmodin; grandchildren, Dr. Karen E. Kolmodin (fianc Michael MacDonell), Emily C. Kolmodin (Anthony) Romeo, Stephanie E. Shepard, Michelle L. Shepard (Autry Inman), James Rashkin, Jared (J.D.) Rashkin and Ronald C. Jansen, III. Also surviving are sister-in-laws Aurelia Jansen and Judy Jansen and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, July 18, 2009, 11:00 AM at the Clock Chapel with Rev. Bob Lynch officiating. Mr. Jansen was cremated according to his wishes. His ashes will be interred alongside his wife in Laketon Township Cemetery. There will be a Visitation on Friday, July 17, from 5-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. MEMORIAL: In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to the North Muskegon High School Football Activity Fund or the American Cancer Society. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.

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