ALVIN E. JANSEN
Alvin Jansen, son of Henry and Anna (Kuhl) Jansen, went to grade school in Aspinwall.
He started high school in Manning, then joined the Navy in 1944. He went to Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Michigan for three weeks, but was taken out of Boot Training and sent to Davisville, Rhode Island, for advanced training with the Marine Corps. He went to Okinawa, IE Shima, and on to China for 26 months. He went back to San Francisco, again put into the Navy, and was put on the USS Duncan touring the China Sea. On his way back to the States, the ship blew up 200 miles out of Long Beach, California. One man was killed and 14 injured; Alvin's eyes were burned and he spent 30 days in the hospital.
He then went back to sea again, and was discharged in September 1948, as a 2nd Class Boatswain's Mate.

He was married in December, 1948, to Clariss Christian, Manning. They have six children.
His medals include World War II Victory, American Area Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, one Bronze Star, Good Conduct, and China Theater. He is a member of V.F.W. Post #3517 in Manning.

Manning Monitor article ------ 1945

Alvin Jansen at Rhode Island
Alvin Jansen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Jansen of Aspinwall is taking naval training at Rhode Island.
Alvin joined the Navy on November 14, 1944, and took four weeks training at Great Lakes and was then sent to Davisville, Rhode Island, for training in the Seabees and now has a rating of S2/c.

Manning Monitor article------ 1944

Alvin Jansen Home On 41-Day Leave After China Duty
Alvin E. Jansen, BMCBB 2-c, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Jansen of Manning, arrived home recently from China on a 41-day leave after having spent 12 months on Okinawa and Ie Shima, leaving there in April 1946, for Tsingtao, China.
While on duty in the Southwest Pacific, Alvin was attached to the 10th army and in China he was with the Sixth marine division. He reports back for duty at San Francisco, January 26.

Alvin E. Jansen

Funeral service for Alvin Jansen of Aspinwall, Iowa was held Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at Ohde Funeral Home in Manning, Iowa. Pastor Jeff Erlemeier of Abundant Life Church in Harlan Iowa officiated with Ruth Anne Ohde as Celebrant. Rebecca Erlemeier was vocalist and accompanist. Casketbearers were Alvin's grandchildren, Kirk Merriman, Trebor Merriman, Rachael Phelan, Shane Jansen, Jenny Muhlbauer, Tatum Knop, Matthew Benning, Jessica Ford, Kristy Jansen, Nicole Claeys, Cassie Jansen, Jake Jansen, and Brett Mohr.

Interment was in the Iowa Township Cemetery in Crawford County, Iowa, with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Emil Ewoldt Post 22 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3517 of Manning. Mark Jansen played "Taps."

A visitation was held Friday, November 14, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at Ohde Funeral Home, Manning, Iowa.

Alvin Emil, son of Henry and Anna (Kuhl) Jansen, was born September 17, 1927, in Manilla, Iowa. He grew up on a farm near Aspinwall and then moved with his family into Aspinwall where he attended school through the eighth grade. He then attended Manning High School until 1944 when, at the age of 17 years, he enlisted into the United States Navy and received advanced training with the Marine Corps at Davidsville, Rhode Island. He was assigned to the Construction Battalion and aided in construction of roads, runways and bridges. Alvin was involved in the invasion of Okinawa and Hid Selinca. Later he was sent to China to build an airfield. Alvin was aboard the destroyer Duncan when it was blasted by an explosion 200 miles at sea. He was injured in that blast and was hospitalized for two months before he was honorably discharged in 1948.

Upon his return to Aspinwall, he was united in marriage with Clariss Christian on December 3, 1948. They lived in Omaha for a short time before returning to live permanently in Aspinwall. Six children were born to this union. Alvin maintained roads for Crawford County for 32 years. He assisted in construction of gravel and oil roads in southeastern Crawford County. He used a road grader to keep the proper slope for drainage, salvage aggregate, snow and ice removal and repair frost, flood and wind damage. In 1986 he began a long association with the Center for Transportation Research and Education at Iowa State University by instructing county employees. Through this association, he was sent to Volkov, Russia, in 1995 to teach owners to build and maintain roads in order to deliver produce to market.

Alvin was very involved with the community of Aspinwall serving on the city council for several years and as mayor for five years. He also served on the school board.

Alvin had suffered numerous health problems the past few years. However, his death at his home in Aspinwall after returning from taking a ride with Clariss (one of their favorite past times) on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, was sudden and unexpected. He was 81 years, 1 month and 26 days of age.

Preceding Alvin in death are his parents; brother, Harry Jansen and his wife Irene; three sisters: Augusta and husband Roy Georgius; Emma and husband Cy Steffen and Hilda and Averill Vinke

He is survived by his wife Clariss Jansen of Aspinwall; six children: Tammy and husband Bob Merriman of Manning; Tom Jansen and wife Carol of Hurst, TX; Teresa Benning of Avoca; Ted Jansen and wife Ronda of Aspinwall; Tim Jansen and wife Jodie of Carroll; Terri and husband Bruce Mohr of Ute; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.