Brian Dale Jansma
Brian Jansma, 54, Sioux Falls, died Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at home following health complications.
Visitation with family will be 5-7 PM, Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at Heartland Funeral Home. Memorial Services will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, July 19, at Heartland Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Eastside Cemetery in Steen, MN at 1:30PM.
Brian Dale Jansma was born July 6, 1964 in Rock Rapids, IA. He was raised on the family farm near Beaver Creek, MN and graduated from Hills-Beaver Creek High School in 1982 where he obtained the nickname “Pie” after some of his adventures. He then attended Southeast Area Vo-tech and obtained a degree in Data Processing. He used his skills to become a dispatcher at K & J Trucking and enjoyed the small company and getting to know so many drivers. He continued his dispatching and moved into sales while working at Midwest Coast Transport (MCT) in Sioux Falls, SD and was a successful salesman for the West Coast Area. He enjoyed many trips there and loved the drive along the Pacific Coast. Following his time at MCT, Brian worked for a variety of other trucking companies and was most recently employed at Wheel Express, LLC in Sioux Falls, SD.
Brian was a very fun-loving and adventurous man with a contagious laugh. He enjoyed being in the outdoors, boating and riding his motorcycle. Notable of his favorites were the Green Bay Packers and NASCAR legend Tony Stewart. He loved God, his family, and his friends very much. He was baptized and grew up in the Steen Reformed Church in Steen, MN and attended a variety of other churches throughout his life. He was baptized again as an adult in an outdoor ceremony south of Sioux Falls. Brian struggled with various health problems throughout much of his life and most recently battled a genetic lung condition that was diagnosed in 2015. He never lost his faith in God and would often quote scripture or send encouraging messages to his family. Brian loved his family and his two children, Austin and Loghan very much.
Brian will be deeply missed by his mother, Berniece (Noralf) Barstad, Brandon, SD; two children, Austin (Kali) and Loghan; three siblings, Burdell (Tylene) Jansma, Beaver Creek, MN, Barb (Greg) Niessink, Brandon, and Beth (Brad) Rip, Zillah, WA; two grandchildren, Lincoln & Liam; along with several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friend Darren Nelson.
Brian was preceded in death by his father, Bart Jansma; and his grandparents.
I was so sad to hear about Brian. He was such a great person. I Worked with Brian off and on for many years. We were good friends.
Austin, So sorry about your Dad..
My prayers are with the family, Brian was a sweet, kind person and will be missed deeply.
I am so sorry to hear of Brian’s passing. We had a lot of fun working in dispatch (back in the day) at MCT. My prayers and sympathy go out to his children and family members. Peace be with you all.
I always liked Brian. Ran into him about a year ago in the black hills and saw him frequently for a month or two. He told me he was on his last legs with his lung condition and figured he only had a year or so to live. He was rather upbeat. That seems like courage to me, now, but at the time it just didn’t register with me. I’m grateful I got to see him a few times before he passed. He always laughed at my jokes. I will miss him.