Louis J. Jansa, 77

Louis J. Jansa, 77

Died Dec. 11, 2008

Louis J. Jansa, 77, of El Cerrito, Calif., died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, at his home, following a courageous battle from prostate cancer.

Lou was born on Dec. 12, 1930, to John and Ursula (Shallbetter) Jansa. He was raised on the family farm in the town of River Falls (Cherma). In 1950, he moved to Minneapolis and attended the University of Minnesota.

In June 1952, during the Korean conflict, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in the Far East as a communications officer on the staff of Commander Service Squadron 3 and as signal division officer aboard the U.S.S. Baltimore.

After release from active naval duty, he enrolled in the graduate program in hospital administration, Northwestern University-Chicago.

He retired in 1992 as the assistant director of the Budget Hospitals and Clinics, Office of the President, University of California.

On Nov. 25, 1961, he married Angela MacDougall, and their daughter, Sharon Angela, was born on his birthday in 1967. He and Angela lived in the same home in El Cerrito for 47 years where they enjoyed raising their daughter, cooking, entertaining, gardening and traveling together.

Louis is survived by his wife, Angela, of El Cerrito; daughter, Sharon and son-in-law Keith Barker of St. Paul; sister, Ursula (Roman) Lubich of Roberts; and sister-in-law, Alice Jansa of River Falls; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ursula Jansa, brothers; Phillip, Arnold, John; and sister-in-law, Marie (Yanish) Jansa.

A celebration of his life was held on Saturday, Dec. 20, in the Chapel at Sunset View Cemetery, El Cerrito.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, to the Sutter VNA & Hospice Foundation.

Tags: ri er, falls, deaths