Ellen Joyce Janssen

Ellen Joyce Janssen, 92, of Nokomis, passed away on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at Montgomery Nursing and Rehab in Hillsboro. Ellen was born in Pana, IL on January 20, 1931, the daughter of the late John Sphar and Thuressa Evelyn (Milligan) Sphar. She married Marlyn L. Janssen on August 21, 1952, at Luther Memorial Church in Springfield, IL. He preceded her in death on September 6, 2019, after celebrating 67 years of marriage.

Ellen graduated in the Pana High School class of 1948. After graduation, she worked as a stenographer for the National Greenhouse Company in Pana and also as a secretary for the doctors in the OBGYN ward at Travis Air Force Base hospital while Marlyn was stationed in California. She would once again work for the National Greenhouse Company when Marlyn was deployed to Okinawa. After Marlyn’s active duty in the Air Force, they both farmed and raised black angus cattle on Marlyn’s family farm. Ellen was also a member of St. Marks Lutheran Church.

Ellen is survived by her children: Curtis Janssen (wife Ida Nielsen) of Livermore, CA; and Bruce Janssen of Nokomis, IL, along with several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and her husband, Ellen was preceded in death by her brother, Orvel Sphar and sisters, Betty Lynch and Doris Jackson.

Cremation rites have been accorded as per Ellen’s wishes. A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 11:00-12:00 p.m. at Sutton Funeral Home in Nokomis, IL. A memorial service will begin at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Ralph Ward officiating. Inurnment will follow at Nokomis Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ellen’s honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to Shriners Children’s Hospital.