James R. Jansen, 70, of Kenosha, passed away Tuesday, September 30th, 2008, at his residence. Born in Manitowoc, WI, on January 19, 1938, he was the son of the late Henry and Margarite (Hussey) Jansen. He was educated in the schools of Manitowoc and attended Oshkosh State College & University where he majored in chemistry and education. He came to Kenosha in 1985 to make his home. He was in the Army National Guard from 1956 to 1962 and then in the United States Air Force in the Hospital Pharmacy from 1963 to 1967. He received a letter of commendation for his work on the Gemini Project, packaging drug supplies for a network tracking station. On August 10, 1986, he married Rita (Cole) Tillemans at Kemper Center in Kenosha. He was Plant Manager for Textilease Medique in Wooddale, IL, until his retirement in 2000. James was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He enjoyed building and flying electric model airplanes, astronomy, science fiction, and was a member of Sky Warn as a weather spotter. After his retirement he was the engineer and conductor on the scenic railway train at Six Flags. Surviving are his wife, Rita of Kenosha; a son, Stephen Jansen of Lindenhurst, IL; and two daughters, Laura Jansen of Zion, IL, and Eleanore (Bryan) Sorensen of Antioch, IL. He was preceded in death by a sister, Peggy Hildebrand; and three brothers, Bernard, Gordon and Jeremiah Jansen. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 7th, from Proko Funeral Home at 11:30 a.m. Mass to be celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 12:00 noon. Interment to follow at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park with full military honors. Visitation will be held on Tuesday at Proko Funeral Home from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Friends may also visit with the family on Monday evening at their home, 6525-43rd Avenue, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit James Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com