Daryl Maurice Janssen
(Nov. 6, 1970 – November 26, 2010)
Daryl Janssen, late of Grande Prairie, AB and formerly of Benson, SK and Estevan, SK, passed away suddenly in Grande Prairie on Friday, November 26, 2010 at the age of 40 years.
Daryl Maurice Janssen was born in Estevan, SK on November 6, 1970 to Maurice and Genevieve Janssen. He was the fourth of five children and their first son. Daryl grew up on the family farm at Benson, SK with his three older sisters Jacqueline (Darren Schlageter, Nathan and Emma of Saskatoon), Beverley (Estevan), Teresa (Scott Sahulka, Courtney, Ashley and Myles of Regina) and one younger brother Cordell (Kelly Schmidt, Carter, Cameron and Kolby of Estevan). Daryl attended school in Benson until grade nine then completed his grade twelve at the Estevan Comprehensive high school. While growing up on the farm Daryl helped with chores and other farm responsibilities of which there was never a shortage. He and Cordell even earned a little extra cash by raising pigs. Daryl was also active away from the farm. He spent many years in 4-H, loved to go hunting, enjoyed snowmobiling and playing baseball and what small town boy did not take up the sport of curling. In grade seven Daryl was diagnosed with diabetes but this rarely slowed him down. He continued doing what he loved. In high school, mechanics was one of Daryl’s favorite classes. In grade eleven he rebuilt the motor in a 1975 Ford truck that he had purchased with his dad’s help. By the end of the school year he had the engine purring but the body work he left for Cordell to tackle a few years later. In grade twelve he gave carpentry a try and completed several projects including a water bed frame, headboard and two coffee tables. After grade twelve Daryl joined the work force full time. He had several jobs ranging from stocking grocery store shelves and pumping gas to working on vehicles at Estevan Tire. In the spring of 1993 Daryl started his career in the oilfield industry. His first job was with Franklin Construction of Estevan. Always up for a challenge he changed jobs in 1996 and went to work for Kvaerner. While with Kvaerner, Daryl got an opportunity to transfer to Grande Prairie, Alberta in July 1997. He gladly took the transfer and has called Grande Prairie home for the last thirteen years.
While in Grande Prairie, Daryl has mainly worked in the oilfield industry but he also hauled fuel to farms and oilfield rigs and even put his farming background to use working on a ranch. It was very rare to see him without his cowboy hat and over the years he developed a great love of horses. On his days off you could often find him out at his friend Bill's ranch working with the horses. Whether it was for a leisure ride or to help with round up, he was always willing to lend a hand. During all this Daryl has created a unique and wonderful family of four special boys. The older boys live in Estevan, Damien Murray who is twenty and works at SRI Homes and Christopher who is sixteen and currently a grade eleven student (Roxanne Murray). His younger boys live in Grande Prairie and are typical happy and busy little boys. Dayton is four and Wyatt is two and a half (Tiffany Hatch and her son Tristen). Although not always able to spend as much time as he wished with his sons, Daryl always cherished the times that they were together. On August 28, 2009 Daryl met Tanya Richards in Grande Prairie, his best friend, his love. It was obvious that although they had just decided to start a life together Daryl and Tanya shared something very special. Tanya's daughter Brittney had also claimed a piece of his heart and life. Daryl’s unexpected passing has left us all shocked and saddened. He has taken with him a piece of each of our own hearts. He was fun loving, determined, lived life to the fullest, even cheered for the Eskimos, and touched so many lives. We have shed tears, shared and laughed at fond memories, hugged and held each other knowing that only together will we find the strength to go on. Daryl lost his father Maurice in July 2009 and although we never wanted another one so soon, we know that we now have another guardian angel watching over us and our families. We love you and even though we must say good bye for now Daryl…you will always be with us. —Your loving family.
Prayer Service will be held on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 6, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Benson, by Rev. Joel Rama. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery, Benson.
In lieu of flowers, those so wishing may make donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association in Daryl’s memory.
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