Lewis (Lew) Charles Janssen, long time area resident of Coalwood, Montana, died peacefully December 21, 2019 in the home where he was born on their Coalwood ranch. His wife of 70 years, Helen, was at his side.
Lew was born Jan 20, 1926 at Coalwood, Montana to homesteader parents William M. (Bill) (1896-1977) and Hallie A. Warkins Janssen (1903-2001). The youngest of four children he was delivered by his grandmother, Jessie Balcom Warkins. His parents owned the Coalwood Mercantile and Post Office. Growing up at the crossroads of the community he enjoyed people from a young age. He was Postmaster for a few years in later life. Numerous cousins and family members lived with them in a three room home as he was growing up. He attended elementary grades by walking to the old Coalwood School (yes, it was further then present day, uphill and with snow). He and his brothers, along with numerous cousins, boarded with "Grandma" Anna Baker Janssen, strengthening family ties while attending Custer County High School in Miles City. On weekends they hitched a ride home with neighbors to work on the ranch. Lew played baseball, was involved in 4-H and many other activities.
He had his first plane and pilots' license prior to marrying Helen Lyons, June 26, 1949 in Terry, Montana. They have lived their entire lives together on the family ranch since then. Three children were born and raised on the ranch and Lew was the patriarch of an extended family.
Their home has been, and continues to be, a gathering place for family, friends, neighbors, hunters and strangers for years as many stop by for a few minutes to a few days. Few leave as strangers and their friends are many from across the country. Successfully raising wheat and other grains, hay, cattle, starting with Herefords and transitioning to Black Angus, they have adapted to the weather, times, equipment development and technology. In his late 80's he designed and built his individually adapted hydraulic calf table. Lew continued to be actively involved, even running the swather at age 93, the summer before his death from cancer.
Lew was very active in the community, serving on a number of Powder River County Boards, as well as being an election judge for years, a 4-H leader and a supporter of the younger generations. Lew and Helen attended local games, performances, fairs, and traveled to graduations and weddings for friends and family members. In addition to fishing trips, that were the highlight of each summer, he and Helen traveled to all 50 states and to several foreign countries, inspiring a sense of adventure in his children.
Lew and Helen, for 50 years, hired high school students for summer haying and harvest. In his ability to use a few words to provide expectations and consequences he helped inspire one to do well. "Most were good kids, now good men."
The best neighbor and friend one could have, Lew was always ready to help. He was so talented and innovative, adapting tools, welding, fixing anything, and building grandfather clocks with his fine carpentry skills. His lifelong passion was flying and he owned a plane for over 60 years, using it for pleasure, checking cattle and fields as well as crop dusting. As a hardworking farmer/rancher he was an excellent steward of the land and heritage with an incredible memory for people, places and facts. He especially enjoyed telling the stories of living in rural Montana.
He was a man of deep, quiet faith, Baptised into the Catholic faith in July 1988. He exhibited his faith by how he treated others and was a member of St. David's Parish, in Powder River County. A member of the Greatest Generation, he has created along with Helen, his lifelong love, a wonderful legacy for our family and his community. He was fond of saying. "Helen, we've had 70 years. I love you. I've had a great life and we have great kids. " A summary of a life well lived. He will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Hallie, sister Virginia, brothers Floyd and John, sister-in-law Alice and numerous family members. He is survived by his wife, children Jane Ann (Paul Huber), Mary Kathleen (Martin Thone), Robert Lewis (Lynnette McGuire); grandchildren Joseph (Adrian, Casandra, Veronica and Frencesca), Michael (Brittany-Ellie, Kolton and Quinn), and Bernard Huber; Joshua (Sheba) Thone; Shannon (Jud Harris), Andrea and Christopher Janssen. As well as several nephews and nieces including Roger and Dallas Janssen, Jeri Dobrowski and Tann Laverty.
The family will recieve friends on Thursday, December 26, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. A Vigil will be held on Thursday, December 26, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be Friday, December 27, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. A luncheon will follow the service at The Parlor. Condolences to the family may be sent by visiting http://www.stevensonandsons.com.
Memorials can be made in Lew's honor to The Range Riders Museum, 435 Interstate 94 Business, Miles City, MT 59301 or The Coalwood Ladies Aid, c/o Jean Stanley, Box 2 Volborg, MT 59351.
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