Jerry Lawrence Janssen's Obituary
Jerry Lawrence Janssen passed away on January 12, 2026 at The Oaks at Lakewood Rehabilitation Center. He was born on March 8, 1937, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to John and Dorothy M. Janssen.
Jerry graduated from St. Anne High School in Alpena, MI in 1955, where he was an active student, playing on the basketball team and performing as a clarinetist.
Jerry enlisted in the United States Army, beginning his service in September 1958. He completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he was distinguished as a high‑honor trainee. His long and honorable military career included service in Vietnam, and he retired in 1979 with the rank of Master Sergeant (E‑8) and spent the remainder of his life in Lakewood, WA.
While stationed in Germany in the mid‑1970s, Jerry developed a passion for Volksmarching, an activity he deeply enjoyed and continued for many years after returning to the US.
Following his Army retirement, Jerry pursued his love of music by forming a one‑man group, Jerry Ell Music on the Move, performing on keyboard and vocals. He was also deeply passionate about dancing, an enthusiasm that brought him joy for decades. He was a west coast swing instructor with the Black Hills Shufflers.
He is survived by his daughters, Sophia and Sonia, and his grandson, Kean.
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