A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
SD Natonal Guard
Pallbearers
“Be Prepared”
Doug Jansen, Don Jansen, Josh Mudge, Vern McMulen, Gary Gamache, Alan Smoot
~ Thank you for celebrating Art’s life with us ~
Art was born to Arthur David Jansen and Lillian Schleve Jansen on May 9, 1924 in Hot Springs, South Dakota. He spent his childhood in Rapid City, Oral and Hot Springs. He graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1942 where he participated in track and field, was a drum major and played drums in a dance band.
In 1943 he joined the 3rd Marine Division, and served for three years. He was wounded when his unit participated in the campaign to free Guam from Japanese occupation.
As a student at SDSU In 1947, he met Ida Liffengren. They were married in Brookings, SD in 1948. He participated in track and field and set a pole vault record for the North Central Division. Art received his Bachelors degree and Masters degree from SDSU and Montana State University. He taught and coached in Brentford and Aberdeen, SD for several years. During that time he and Ida welcomed Doug and Jacki.
In 1956 the family moved to Bozeman, MT where Art started his career with the Boy Scouts of America. He was a Field Executive in Montana, and then a District Executive in Mitchell. In 1961-63 he was the Director of Admissions for Dakota Wesleyan University. In 1963 their youngest daughter Janene was born. Art then returned to professional Scouting in Sioux Falls. In 1966 he became the Black Hills Area Council Executive in Rapid City. He was instrumental in establishing the Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch. Under his leadership a Boy Scout Clean Up Day was established in 1970, which is now a City/Community annual event.
For 21 years Art served as its Coordinator. Art was also instrumental in building the Boy and Girl Scout Service Center in Rapid City. In Art's later years he continued to be active in the Boy Scouts.
In 1983 Mayor Art LaCroix proclaimed December 3rd as Art Jansen Day. That year Art had to take early retirement because of a heart condition.
Art joined Cosmopolitan International in 1964. He held all the club offices, and chaired almost every committee. He was the Club President in 1972 when the Rapid City Club hosted the Cosmopolitan International,
After retirement Art and Ida traveled extensively in the US, enjoying traveling with, and visiting, friends. In 1986 they traveled to Japan to spend a month visiting their oldest son’s’ family.
An active member of the Marine Corps League, Art held many offices and was Commandant for several terms. In 2008, Art was recognized as a Local Hero by Geico Insurance Company and KNBN TV for his management of the Care Package program for Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2013 at the Marine Corps Ball, he received a letter of recognition and flag that had flown over the Iwo Jima Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington DC.
Art was an active member of the Haycamp Wood Carvers. He shared his love of carving with anyone who was interested. He also loved golfing, hunting, fishing, camping and hiking. In 1970 he and Ida put their kids to work building a family cabin, which is still enjoyed today. He was also a member of the VFW, DAV, American Legion, Scout Executives Alliance, National Council BSA, and the longest standing member of Cardiac Rehab.
Art and Ida were faithful Christians and active members at the First United Methodist Church for 45 years. Art's total devotion to Ida was evident to all, when he was her constant care giver during her last five years struggling with dementia. They were married for 64 years.
Art will be greatly missed and fondly remembered for his honesty, integrity, hard work, awful jokes, wit, wonderful stories, wisdom, positive attitude, love for his family, and so much more. Thankful for having shared his life are his children, Doug Jansen and wife, Akane, Tokyo, Japan, Jacki Smoot and husband, Alan, Rapid City, Don Jansen and wife, Drew, Eugene, OR, Janene Mudge and husband, Kevin. Art was also blessed with eleven grandchildren, Azusa, Andrew, Jenny,
Aaron, Gabe, Tess, Megan, Rachel, Josh, Janae, Mikaela; their spouses, and eight great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, in laws, and so many wonderful friends.
Art was preceded in death by his wife Ida, his parents, and four brothers, Carl, Edward and Warren Jansen, and Russ Ostrander.