Dalton Janssen passed away peacefully on April 5, 2015, after a brave fight against brain cancer. Although he hated to leave his family and friends, he looked forward to an eternity with his Lord and Savior. Dalton was born at the family home “south of Runge” on June 12, 1932, to Emma Anna Ammerman Janssen and Dietrich Gerhardt Janssen. In Nordheim, Dalton met his forever girlfriend, Lottilyn Hohn; they were married September 6, 1953, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Yorktown, Texas. The newlywed farmers lived for several years on family land near Runge, delighting in watching the cotton, milo, corn and broomcorn grow. Several times, Dalton produced the season’s first bale of cotton. When the prolonged drought of that decade descended, Dalton volunteered for the draft, proudly serving in the U.S. Army for two years. He remained fiercely patriotic through his lifetime, complaining to all who would listen when the turns of politics did not honor America. In 1964, Dalton moved his family to a ranch near Nordheim where he continued cultivating and developing the farmland and improving his beloved cattle.
Dalton served in many organizations from the Runge and Nordheim Volunteer Fire Departments to the Nordheim ISD School Board, Nordheim Coop Gin, and St. Paul Lutheran Church Council; fishing and football were his pleasure passions. Since he took over the management of both the Runge Place and the Hohn Ranch at a very young age, he knew important field projects always had to be done first before he could escape to the joy of coastal fishing. Playing cards at every opportunity, joking in place of replying with a straight answer, Dalton loved visiting with family and friends. Dalton’s garden and orchard grew larger each spring, producing literally hundreds of pounds of tasty tomatoes, giant onions, sweet potatoes, squash, pears, plums, peaches, watermelons, and pumpkins. After his friend, Harlin, grafted Dalton’s fruit trees, the tangerines flourished as well.
For eighteen years, Dalton enjoyed working as a rural mail carrier in the Nordheim area, getting to know “box holders” on his route. Frequently in rainy weather, he slid, slipped, and powered his way over saturated roads to reach everyone.
Dalton is preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Junell Mixon, a brother, Gary Janssen, and brother-in-law, Billy Slaughter. He survived by his wife of 61 years, Lyn Hohn Janssen and two sons, Mark Brent Janssen of San Marcos, TX, and Craig Scott Janssen (Catherine) of Kerrville, TX; grandson Peyton Garrett Janssen of Kerrville and step-grandchildren, Staff Sergeant Jason Thomas (Erica) of Raeford, North Carolina and Danielle Criswell (Travis) of Crawfordville, Florida; two great grandchildren; brother Nelson Janssen (Estelle) of Victoria, TX, sisters, Mildred Slaughter and Lillian Lau (Ralph) of Victoria, TX; brother-in-law, John Hohn; and nieces and nephews Barbara Bowman, Patricia Gruenberg, Nancy Doehrman, Randal Lau, Ricky Slaughter, Jerry Slaughter, Gene Mixon, Cheryl Green, Jana Gossett, Natalin Mayer, Chris Janssen, Sherisse Smith, and Rhonda Pakebusch.
The family appreciated the attention of Dalton’s caregivers: Ruth Stevens, Gloria Villarreal, Carmen Huerta, and Oscar Briones. The people of Hospice of South Texas proved to be invaluable, caring, dependable helpers.
A visitation will be held Tuesday evening April 7, 2015 from 5-7 pm at Massey Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Wednesday April 8, 2915 at 10:00 am at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Yorktown, TX. Interment will follow at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church and Hospice of South Texas.
You are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.masseyfh.com.
Arrangements by Massey Funeral Home, 779 N Riedel, Yorktown, Texas 78164 361-564-2900.
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