Veryl Jansen Obituary
Veryl L. Jansen was born on Friday, April 27th, 1934, to Annetta & Johannes Jansen on the family farm near Doland, South Dakota. He was the fourth in a family of seven children. In his early years he worked with his father and brothers on the farm until he moved to Nebraska where he began working on the Railroad. He was later transferred to Seattle, Washington where he continued working as a conductor until he retired. After retirement he returned to Nebraska to be closer to family. And for the last fifteen years he has spent his time alternating between Montana and Arizona following the warm weather.
In 1953 he married Shirley Gavette and to this union came six children, five girls and a boy. The two divorced after 25 years of marriage and he later married Linda Wewel and gained two more daughters. In October of 2010 he married Harriet (Morton, Sleaford) Heinle and acquired two sons and two more daughters into his family.
Family and being around those he loved and cared for were the highlights of his life. Ninety-one years on this earth and he was full of light and smart remarks for all of them. He loved any opportunity to get a good-natured rib in on someone and his chuckle that always followed will be a sound that we will greatly miss hearing. He was a true connoisseur of ice cream and always the first one to volunteer to taste test it “just to make sure it was good”. If he had it his way ice cream would’ve been served after every meal including breakfast. He had an incredible sweet tooth but was always the most excited when it came to chocolate covered banana slices and apple cake (with ice cream of course!).
He had a strong dislike for “shucky” corn of any kind, the cold (which was anything less than a balmy 80 degrees either in the house or outside), and anytime that Bev drove the car over 70mph.
He loved riding a dirt bike when he was young and talked of that on occasion. He was always up to watch a football game, but golf was his absolute favorite. In his later years when he couldn’t get out to a course he would golf his way the 200yds from the house to the mailbox on the county road and back again, sometimes without the ball which had been lost to the field after a shank along the way. Many “Titleist rooster eggs” have been recovered from the stubble and we are pretty sure there’s still more out there.
He loved a good nap, a good (or bad) joke and a good game of Pinochle with family and friends but most especially his good friends Wally and Judy in Miles City. He loved Harriet and their time spent together. They loved to dance together and spent many years doing just that in both Montana and Arizona. Dancing was always a highlight of life for him. Most of all he loved being able to live a life filled with so many people he loved. He was a wonderful husband, father and papa and he will leave a vacancy in our hearts that will never be filled.
He is preceded in death by his parents Annetta and Johannes Jansen, his siblings John, Roland, Shirley, and stepchildren Glenda (Sleaford) McPherson and Alan Sleaford.
He is survived by his wife Harriet of 15 years. His children Susan (Monty) Ahrens, Vicki (Lester) Lewis, Cindy (Lee) Ahrens, Tim (Dana) Jansen, Sherri (Dan) Ziemens, and Tanya Stepek. Stepchildren Dean (Misty) Sleaford, Tana (Lenny) McNac, Brenda (Mike) Lammers and Dawn Young. Fifteen grandchildren, twenty six great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, fourteen step-grandchildren and sixteen step-great-grandchildren.
We would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to the staff at the Rosebud Healthcare Center for all the love and attention that was paid to Veryl during the last hours of his life. Thank you for your empathy, compassion and understanding, but most importantly, thank you for opening that window.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Tuesday December 16, 2025
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
2:00 pm
Wednesday December 17, 2025
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Wednesday December 17, 2025
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Tuesday December 16, 2025
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
2:00 pm
Wednesday December 17, 2025
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Wednesday December 17, 2025
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
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Sharon Jansen says
My heart goes out to your family. Uncle Veryl was loved by so many. He loved his family with his whole heart. I loved all his antics and funny faces when we had family reunions. He is having a great time with his brothers and other family members now. Keep all your memories of him tucked in your heart .
linda rogers says
Dearest Harriet & family, So sorry for your loss, praying for your comfort from family and friends. We did not know Veryl
well but could see he was a good, kind man by the way he loved you Harriet. May you feel Gods peace in this time.
linda rogers says
Dearest Harriet, So sorry for your loss. We did not know Veryl well but could tell he was a kind, thoughtful man by the
way he loved you Harriet. Praying for your comfort and peace through this difficult time.
Tom and Julie Pfister says
Our prayers and thoughts are with Veryl‘s family, my time with him working at the round house was short but memorable you’ll be missed.
Michelle & Mark says
Our deepest sympathies. When we walked through the door, Veryl was always waiting to give a big hug. Will miss walking into room with a western or football playing on TV or running to the table if anyone mentioned cards. My prayers to you Harriet, in this time of loss.
Brenda Lammers says
We have wonderful memories of Grandpa Veryl. He was the best grandpa ever! Thank you Harriet for being such a wonderful wife and taking such great care of him!