Margaret Jansen

Margaret J. Jansen

October 6, 1928 – July 1, 2026

GREENWOOD, INDIANA — Margaret J. Jansen, age 97, peacefully passed away on July 1, 2026. Margaret was a devoted matriarch, teacher, compassionate nurse and faithful servant of God, whose long life was defined by her unwavering dedication to healing, education and her family.

Margaret was born on October 6, 1928, near Milo, Iowa to August and Flossie (Clanton) Heinen. She attended Ottumwa Heights boarding school in Iowa until the age of 17 when she entered the convent where she faithfully served for 17 years. During her time as a nun, she touched countless lives, first as a dedicated schoolteacher and later following her true lifelong calling as a nurse.

In January of 1964, while working as a nurse in Omaha, Nebraska, Margaret met the love of her life, Joseph “Joe” B. Jansen. They were married on August 1, 1964. Margaret and Joe established their home on a farm near Fordyce, Nebraska, where they built a vibrant life together spanning over three decades from 1964 to 1996. Margaret embraced the roles of farm wife and mother with grace, welcoming her sons, Pat, in November 1965, and Ron, in January 1968. She was an active and devout member of Saint Boniface Catholic Church, where she joyfully directed and sang in the choir and spent many years as a dedicated member of the Catholic Daughters of America.

As her sons grew, Margaret returned to work in the mid-1970s, taking a nursing position at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota. She found immense fulfillment working in the obstetrics department, welcoming new life into the world, as well as the geriatric ward. Her profound passion for elderly care led her to owning and successfully operating Sunshine Nursing Home in Yankton during the early 1980s, providing dignity and comfort to many in their final stages of life.

In 1996, Joe and Margaret retired from farming and relocated to Osceola, Iowa, where they spent seven years before moving to Overland Park, Kansas, to be closer to family. Following Joe’s passing in 2012, Margaret remained in the Kansas City area until 2024, when she moved to an assisted living facility in Greenwood, Indiana. Throughout her life, her eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild were her ultimate pride and joy and she cherished every moment spent watching her family grow.

Margaret was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 47 years, Joseph B. Jansen, her parents, seven siblings and her infant grandson, Eric Jansen.

She is survived by a loving family who will carry forward her legacy of love and compassion, two sons Patrick (Cheryl) Jansen of Greenwood, Indiana; and Ronald (Elaine) Jansen of Lenexa, Kansas; sister Marie Mears of Des Moines, Iowa; sister in law Barbara Jansen of Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren Rob (Nicki) Jansen of Fishers, Indiana; Nicole (Hayden) Jansen Gorrell of North Liberty, Iowa; Samantha Jansen of Aurora, Colorado; Emily Jansen of Martinsville, Indiana; Katelyn Jansen of Madison, Wisconsin; Matthew Jansen of Lenexa, Kansas; and Jacob Jansen of Manhattan, Kansas; and great grandson Daniel Jansen.

Please visit www.orileybranson.com to leave a memory of Margaret or to sign the online guest book.