Alfred Janz

Alfred R. Janz, 84, Mosinee, died Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at Mount View Care Center, with his family by his bedside.

He was born Nov. 23, 1932, in Dancy, the son of the late Alfred B. and Bertha (Stauffer) Janz. He married Judith LaMere on Aug. 10, 1957, in Mosinee. Al and Judy would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. She survives.

Al was baptized and confirmed at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Dancy. He served on the vestry of St. Johns Lutheran, Mosinee and later was a vestry member at St. James Episcopal, Mosinee. He also served many years as a junior Warden.

He served in the U.S. Army (Artillery) during the Korean War, and was a member of the American Legion. He and his father started and operated Janz Fur Farm in the Dancy area for many years. Their quality mink furs were sold all over North America. Al was employed at the Mosinee Post Office as a city carrier and a rural carrier for over 39 years. He was a member of the National Letter Carriers and Rural Letter Carriers Association. During his employment, Al’s driving record was perfect, never having one accident. His daughter, Rochelle, when she was a little girl, would join her dad (our house was on Al’s mail route) walking part of the route down the Main Street sidewalk with him. After a ways, Al would say, “Ok, go home now!”

Al was active with Boy Scouts of America from 1968-1983 serving with the Cub Scout Program, Scoutmaster from 1969-1981 of Troop 455. He was on the District Commission Staff from 1981-1983. He was inducted into Wood Badge and Order of the Arrow. He took scouts from Troop 455 to the 1973 National Jamboree in Coeur d’Alene, ID. Al had great satisfaction seeing his scouts excel in knot tying, fire building, outdoor cooking/first aid and general camping skills.

Al was a self-taught wood carver of duck decoys which won him many competition ribbons. He also was a collector of antique duck and goose decoys. Al was a lifelong member of Ducks Unlimited and donated many of his carving to their fundraisers.

Al enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, berry picking, trapping his beloved fishers, deer hunting and his great passion for waterfowl hunting. He spent many Autumns chasing the feathered birds in Canada, North Dakota, Arkansas and Wisconsin. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Grandpa served up his wonderful pancake breakfast and yummy pies for all to enjoy!

Survivors, besides his wife, Judith include children; Jonathan Janz, Steven (Mayka) Janz and Rochelle Janz, all from Mosinee. Brothers; David (JoAnne) Janz, Middleton, WI and Gary (Danelle) Janz, Mosinee. Sisters; Carolyn (Larry) Graff, Menomonee Falls, WI and Luetta Harz, Mosinee. Brother-in-law Robert (Sally) LaMere, San Jose, CA. Sister-in-law Anita (Don) Olds, Eau Claire, WI. Sister-in-law Mary (Lester) Janz, Olympia, WA. He was preceded in death by brothers, Norman and Lester. His 5 grandchildren, Amanda Janz, Allegra Chapman, Kirstin Chapman, Nicholas Chapman, and Monica Janz. Great grandchildren, Aidan Mengel, Keitan Mengel, and Mason Mengel, and cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services with be 10:30 a.m. Saturday March 18, 2017 at St. James Episcopal Church, Mosinee. The Rev. David Klutterman and Amanda Sampey will officiate. Burial will be in Mosinee Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, and again from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church. Online condolences can be given at www.bestefh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Alfred’s name may be directed to Boy Scouts of America, Samoset Council, Wausau, WI, or Ducks Unlimited, Memphis, TN.