Roy W. Janssen died W ednesday, September 28, 2022 at the Ranier Roost in Ranier.
Roy’s grandson interviewed him and this is an excerpt from it. “ My Interview is on my grandpa Roy Janssen. First I asked him if he would give me a little background on his early life. He responded with: I was born on November, 17, 1922, in Crookston Minnesota with my parents being Pearl “Crompton” Janssen and my father’s name was William Janssen.
Then I asked my Grandfather where he attended school. He answered with: I attended grade school at Franklin Grade School and I attended high school at Crookston Central High. I graduated in 1940. During those school years I kept busy with numerous paper routes. Sometimes I delivered four paper routes at a time.
After that I asked my Grandpa what other memories he had of growing up in Minnesota: He said: I bought my first car at the age of 15. Other activities included caddying all around the state. On some of the caddying trips my friend and I would ask local law enforcement officer if we could bunk in the jail cells because this way we got free breakfast in the morning.
Next I asked him when he decided to become an auto parts worker. His response was: In 1941 I started working as an auto parts counterman at Bemidji auto parts. Then I served four years in the Army with an engineer parts supply company. When I got back from the service I moved to Int’l Falls to manage an auto parts store. My wife Ardele “My grandma” and I set up housekeeping at that time. From 1948 through 1958 my employment was with Mando as parts man for the maintenance division. In 1959 brought about a change when I became part owner of Northern Auto Parts. Then in 1972, Todd my son “My dad” joined the firm as part owner.
Finally, I asked him what he does today. He said ”today, me and the old lady live happily in our home on Highway Lane in Int’l Falls.” We also enjoy our cabin during the summer which is located in Canada. That concludes my interview because my grandpa fell asleep in the chair.”
Roy was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, William and Pearl Janssen; and his wife, Ardele.
He is survived by his son, Todd (Becky); grandchildren: Rachel (Evan) Amdahl, Dylan Janssen, and Nicole (Todd) Sether; great-grandchildren: Annika, Wyatt, Tennyson, and Harper Amdahl, Aiston and Lennon Kossow, and Cam and Teagan Sether.
Roy will be interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, with full military rites on October 6, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. Condolences may be left on www. greenlarsen.com Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary, Inc.
