Russell Janssen Obituary

Russell A. Janssen
Born: November 20, 1943 in Capron, IL
Died: December 20, 2025 in Dixon
Russell "Russ" A. Janssen, Oregon, IL, age 82, passed suddenly on Saturday, December 20th, 2025. He was born November 20th, 1943, in Capron, Illinois, the son of Andrew Janssen and Ruby (Friemuth) Janssen-Becker. Russ graduated from Amboy High School Class of 1961. He married Deborah Orsted on December 25th, 1989, where they resided together in Oregon, IL for 41 years.
He owned and operated Northwest Equipment since 1973 as an implement dealer, holding auctions of tractors and farm equipment. He also had a partnership with Southwest Auction Co. for the past 40 years with the Carson family in Howe, Texas. Russ will be sorely missed by his dear friends, Cal Kaufman and Lenny Bryson, as they traveled hundreds of thousands of miles across the country buying and selling farm equipment for decades. Russ was active in tractor pulling of super- modified tractors during the '70s and '80s, becoming an NTPA Regional National Champion. He traveled throughout the Midwest, East Coast, and even Europe with his pulling tractors. Russ remained an avid fan of tractor pulling for his entire life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Janssen and Ruby (Friemuth) Janssen-Becker; parents-in-law Irving and Joyce Orsted; his siblings, Lorriane Klein, Harry Janssen, and Carol Wittenauer; and most recently, his granddaughter Kaitlyn Janssen.
He is survived by his loving wife Deborah of Oregon, IL; his sister, Joyce Yoakum of Chana, IL.; his children, Sean (Kim) Janssen of Patriot, IN, Angela Janssen of Rochelle, IL, Dawn Janssen of Rochelle, IL, Dana (Ron) Simpson of Polo, IL, and Kristine Johnson of Stillman Valley, IL; stepchildren, Bobbi Young of Oregon, IL and Tim (Stacey) Smice of Rock Falls, IL; grandchildren, Michael (Jessica) Janssen, Clayton (Sarah) Steele, Courtney Janssen, Victoria Simms, Jordan Janssen, Hannah Krahn, Dylan Johnson, Jakob Simpson, Allyson Simpson, Heather (Antrun) Simpson, Ashley (Matt) Anderson, Blake "Biscuit" Young, Brooke Young, Corey Stone and Deborah Smice; great-grandchildren, Landon, Killian, Olivia, Augustina, Levi, Londyn, Tucker, Myles, Ava, Aydon, Kasey, Elias, Ryker, and Nova; and several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Visitation was from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with the funeral service immediately following at 12 p.,m., on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 110 S. 7th Street, Oregon, IL with Pastor Jack Briggs officiating. Burial was at Daysville Cemetery, on Daysville Rd., Oregon, IL. A luncheon followed burial services at River's Edge Experience, 103 South 1st St. Oregon, IL.
A memorial fund is established in Russ' name, and may be directed to his widow Deborah Janssen, 700 Webster Street, Oregon, IL 61061. Please visit www.farrellhollandgale.com to leave condolences or memories of Russ.