Rickert "Rick" Janssen

May 4, 1975 -

Jan 31, 2025

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Rickert Dean Janssen, who departed this life on Jan. 31, 2025, at 49 years of age.

Rick was born May 4, 1975, in Anchorage, Alaska, to Georg and Kathryn Pierson Janssen. A lifelong Alaskan he spent very little of his life any place else. Rick was a creative and mischievous child, always one or two steps ahead of his parents. He attended grade school in Anchorage and attended Dimond High School. He graduated from the first Youth Corp Class held in the city. Rick's birthday was always a big occasion for him, and he started planning the next one the day after the last one. He was especially fond of the fact that his birth date had a special meaning to Star Wars fans, "May the Fourth (Force) be with you."

We think Rick would want others to know that most important to him was that he loved his family, loved dogs, loved being on his dad's boat in Seward and loved fishing anywhere there was water. He also had a deep love for all music from rap to opera. His family would add that he was a great cook, who creatively made meals without following recipes! It was important to Rick that he knew his family loved him, and during tough times in his life, we believe that is what he held onto.

Years ago at his brother's wedding, while he was joyful and supportive of his brother during the wedding, during the reception he and his girlfriend had a great time riding around in the limo. His sister-in-law, Marla, remembers his compassion when she became seasick on his father's boat out of Seward, and Rick with his stomach of steel and his kind heart saw her safely through that adventure. We also remember his compassion over the years as he shared his concern for his friends and their children.

Rick had a special place in his heart for his favorite cousins, Jason and Elaine, who remember his knack for choosing great gifts, and the times Jason and Rick spent playing video games and attending movies none of the rest of us wanted to see.

Rick was his dad's buddy on many adventures around Alaska and he even learned to love Elvis Presley's music during their trip to Memphis. Some of his mother's favorite memories were when he sang with the Cherub Choir at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, and all the fish dinners he provided.

Rick is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Heinrich and Anna Janssen; his maternal grandparents, Arthur Pierson and Helen Pierson McBurney; stepgrandfather, Malcolm McBurney; and his father, Georg. He is survived by his mother, Kathryn; brother, Georg Jr. (Marla) Janssen; niece, Dorie (Collin) Arkin; great-niece and -nephew, Marlie Joy and Daniel Arkin.

While we are sad that Rick had to leave us, we feel that even through his struggles he had faith in God and is probably lending his sweet voice to another choir. Rick will be laid to rest beside his beloved father with a graveside service at 3 p.m. on May 12, 2025, at Angelus Memorial Park Cemetery.