William Lorin “Bill” Janssen, 65, died March 7, at his home in Great Bend. Born Nov. 28, 1949, in Beloit, he was the son of William Franklin and Treva (Peters) Janssen. On Nov. 1, 1986, he married Shirley Smither Larson in Great Bend. The long time resident of Great Bend had been a private contractor for the United States Postal Service. He enjoyed bowling, golf, softball, sporting events, and above all, he treasured his time with his grandchildren.  
Mr. Janssen was a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. He was a member of the American Legion in Ness City, U.S.B.C. (United States Bowling Congress), and was a Kansas State U.S.B.C. 2014 Hall of Fame inductee.  
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Janssen, of the home; three sons: Edward Larson and wife Janice of Bel Aire, Douglas Larson and wife Renee of Great Bend, and Kenneth Larson and wife Heidi of Wichita; one daughter, Kimberly Klucas and husband Jim of Salina; two sisters, Billie Marie Backhaus and husband Terry and Karrie Harper, both of Ness City; one brother, Gordon Francis Janssen and wife Laurel of Hutchinson; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Willa Zimmer.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home. A memorial service will also be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home Chapel in Ness City with Chaplain Larry Schumaker officiating. Inurnment will be held at the Ness City Cemetery. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.  Memorials are suggested to St. Rose Health Center Endowment Fund for Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, William F. Janssen Memorial Scholarship Fund (Ness City), American Cancer Society,  or the Kidney Foundation, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net
    
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home*
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 10, 2015