Paul L. Jansen Jr.'s Obituary
Paul L. Jansen, Jr., age 95 of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Sunday, September 21, 2025. He was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1930 to parents Paul L. and Edna Jansen. Paul was a graduate of St. Mary Central High School in Menasha, Wisconsin and received his Bachelor of Business degree at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL in 1953. Paul was united in marriage to his amazing wife, Joan, for fifty-eight years.
Paul was an avid reader and self-taught historian of all things cars, boats, and planes. He could talk for hours about the history of a classic car or the craftsmanship of vintage wooden boats. Over the years he was a collector of many unique cars, boats, scooters, and more, and was even seen a time or two tooling around Lake Winnebago in his Amphicar. His summer calendars were always circled with every date of the car and wooden boat shows around Wisconsin. Paul was involved in the early days of recruiting the EAA Convention to come to Oshkosh, and never missed the annual fly-in. He enjoyed being a long-time Board member of the Miss Wisconsin scholarship pageant and a member of the Oshkosh Memorabilia Club.
He was a life-long salesman, who started a multi-generation local manufacturing and distribution firm that has remained in business for over fifty years. Founded in hand craftmanship and a central focus on the customer, Paul’s business continues today to be widely known as a premier manufacturer of quality products for the music industry globally. He never officially retired, assisting within his business until recent months. He used to laugh and say, “I’m not retired… I’m just tired!”.
Paul leaves behind a legacy of unwavering support for his family. He valued education, demonstrated hard work and determination, and ensured his children and grandchildren had the opportunity for growth through higher education, by his generosity.
Paul is survived by his sons William (Bill), James (Jim), and John (Anna) Jansen; daughters Mary (Thomas) Norman and Patricia (Daren) Heflin; grandsons Shaun (Caroline) Jansen, Isaac (Carolyn) Jansen, Austin Jansen; granddaughters Shanon Galati and Shelby Jansen (Nate Carney); great grandchildren Olivia, Adeline, Isla, Sebastian, and Rory, and sister, Margaret Poeschl, and sister-in-law, Mary Conneran, along with extended family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul & Edna Jansen, wife Joan Jansen, and grandson Ryan Jansen.
A visitation and memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 11th at Fiss & Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home at 865 S. Westhaven Drive in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 am, with a memorial service at 11:00 am.
The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Paul’s talented and dedicated team within the business, for their years of loyal service and friendship. We also extend our sincere thanks to the wonderful staff of both The Residences of Oshkosh and Heartland Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lourdes Academy, 250 N. Sawyer St, Oshkosh, WI 54902.
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