Harold Jansen Obituary

Harold "Harry" Eli Jansen, 81, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2025, having spent the day surrounded by his family. He was born in Racine, Wisconsin on August 23, 1943, to Edith and Edward Jansen and the youngest brother to Ed and Ralph. After graduating high school Harry majored in music education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He then went on to obtain a master’s in music with a concentration in saxophone at Indiana University.

In his early career, Harry worked for Wisconsin schools and American Greetings before his love for music drew him back to teaching. Harry moved to Iowa and worked in the Des Moines and West Des Moines Public Schools, as the band director and marching band teacher where his love for playing and teaching music was reignited. He was the contractor for local musicians at the Civic Center, while also playing for many amazing big bands and musicals.

Harry was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was the first to jump in to help with a project, lend an ear to just listen or offer guidance, and loved seeing his family all together. He found great joy spending time with his children and grandchildren attending their various activities and adding silliness into each moment.

He enjoyed playing music with a focus on saxophone and clarinet, attending musical theater, driving all over the country to see drum and bugle corps, traveling to new places, biking, running, and working outside around the house.

Harry was a generous, kind, selfless and loving man, who was taken too soon due to complications from Alzheimer’s.

Survivors include his wife Susan, children: Heath (Jennifer Paschen), David (Valerie) and Christine (Adam) Gray and grandchildren: Anna, Ellen, Kendall, Addison, Anderson and Connor.

No services are planned at this time per his wishes, but a celebration of life will be held at a future date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, the Colts Drum and Bugle Corp in Dubuque or to an organization that advances a young person’s love of music.

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