Daniel W. Jansa

Daniel Wayne Jansa, 71, went to be with his Lord early Friday morning January 22, 2016 after a fifteen month battle with pancreatic cancer. Daniel was born on August 4, 1944 to Charlie and Olga (Ripple) Jansa in Rowena, Texas. He grew up on a cotton farm east of Lowake. Daniel graduated high school in 1962 from St. Joseph Catholic School in Rowena. He then worked as a carpenter, helped his father farm, and proudly served his country in the National Guard, 49th Armored Division Company D. He married the love of his life, LaRita Fischer of Olfen on September 16, 1967. They started out their marriage in Fort Worth while he worked for General Dynamics. After a year in Fort Worth, one of his dreams became a reality when he and LaRita had a chance to move back to the Olfen area to pursue his love of farming. Soon they started a family and were blessed with two daughters and one son. In 1976, they welcomed a new opportunity and move to Wall to farm, where he still farmed up until his recent illness. Daniel was an active member of the Wall community. He loved going to church at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, singing in the Men’s Choir and volunteering at the Fall Festival. He also liked spending time with his ‘coffee buddies’ at the Wall Co-op Gin. All problems, big or small, could be solved at the Wall Co-op morning coffee hour. If he could find someone to talk Czech to while at the Co-op, it was even better. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1963 where he had the honor of being Knight of the Year in 1978, a past Grand Knight, and a third degree Knight. Daniel served on the Texas Farm Bureau Board of Directors for Tom Green County for over 30 years, during those years he volunteered for various duties but the one he loved the most was being the main cook for the summer customer appreciation BBQ dinner. Daniel received numerous awards from Wall FFA and the Wall Young Farmers throughout his farming career. He was also a devoted supporter of Wall ISD, Wall FFA, Wall Band Boosters, Wall Volunteer Fire Department and Garden City ISD. He showed his love for his community through his outstanding effort to volunteer and his willingness to always help his fellow neighbor. Daniel had several passions outside of farming and his community service. The main one started as a child with his love of hunting. His best times were spent with his friends and family hunting and fishing. It did not matter the season; he enjoyed it all. During his time in the National Guard, he developed a real passion for cooking. This love grew from countless hours of volunteering to barbeque for numerous weddings and charities at St. Ambrose to a catering business he ran on the side for the past fifteen years. The enjoyment that he received from patron’s compliments and praise cannot be measured. Daniel was preceded in death by his parents Charlie and Olga Jansa, infant sister Patricia Jansa, in-laws Daniel and Anna Fischer Sr., brothers-in-law Harvey Fischer, Francis Fischer, and Ivan Fischer, sister-in-laws Peggy Fischer, Marcella Zly, and Arlene Gunyon. Daniel is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, LaRita Jansa. His children Danielle Halfmann and husband Darrell, Marcie Holtman and husband Curtis, and Norman Jansa and Dan Hogan; Seven grandchildren, Laura Batla and husband Keith, Shanna, Kamie and Derek Halfmann, and Mark, Caroline and Katelynn Holtman. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Noemi and Ralph Hoelscher and their children Carla (Curtis) Schwartz and Brian (Chrystal) Hoelscher; brothers-in-law, Daniel Fischer and wife Harriet, John Gunyon, and Edwin Zly and wife Eldoris; sisters-in-law, Carrol Fischer and Barbara Fischer; and numerous Fischer family nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Cheruku, Dr. Alcocer, Robert and Donna Fischer, Gary and Donna Fischer, and to all the friends and family that have supported us and prayed for Daniel throughout his illness. Pallbearers will be Allen Weishuhn, Monroe Dierschke Jr., James Ripple, Rodney Ripple, Llano Heathcott, and Jerry Multer. Honorary pallbearers will be Dwane Hoelscher, Tommy Ayers and the St. Ambrose Men’s Choir. A rosary will be held at St. Ambrose Catholic Church at 6:00 pm Sunday. The funeral mass will also be held at St. Ambrose at 10:00 am on Monday. Arrangements through Harper Funeral Home at 2606 Southland San Angelo, Texas 76904.