Richard Jansen 09/11/2026

On September 11, 2026, Rick left for the arms of his Heavenly Father.

Rick was born at St. Elizabeth Hospital to Elmer and Pearl Jansen on May 9, 1945, joining his older brother Ron. Rick attended Appleton Public Schools and worked after school setting pins manually at a local bowling alley.

In 1965, Rick joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the Philippines as an aircraft electrician where he discovered a lifelong passion for flying and never actually boarded a Navy ship. After his honorable discharge, Rick returned home to Appleton where he learned to fly. He became a flight instructor and private pilot before eventually becoming a pilot for Air Wisconsin Airlines. During his aviation career, Rick flew gliders, floatplanes, prop jets, Pipers, Metroliners, Dash 7s, and BAe 146s. He retired in 2005 after logging more than 30,000 flight hours.

In 1973, Rick married Lynn Griesbach. Together, they adopted a baby girl from Colombia, and two and a half years later welcomed a second daughter.

Rick’s love for the outdoors shaped much of his life. Whether fishing, hunting, or enjoying skeet and trap shooting, he embraced his time outside. He also enjoyed water and snow skiing, golf, and bowling. In the summer months, he loved spending time at their cottage on Whitefish Lake.

Rick is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lynn; daughters, Cerny Gilma Jansen (Brandon) and Kyla Jean Jansen (Brian); brother, Ronald Jansen (Sue); and grandchildren, Mabel Philippa Linehan, age 9, and Oscar Winter Linehan, age 4, children of Kyla and Brian.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

Bethesda Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 303
Pickett, WI 54964