Brad N. Janzen

Brad's funeral service will be live-streamed at Facebook.com/oslcdevilslake

Brad Norman Janzen, 50, of Webster ND passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at CHI St Alexius Health, Devils Lake.

Brad was born on August 23, 1973, to Joanie (Mootz) and Norman Janzen. He grew up in Devils Lake, attending Devils Lake Public Schools. He graduated from Devils Lake Central High in 1992. Brad proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1993-1997, where he met many lifelong friends. He served 2 consecutive tours of duty in Iraq during Desert Storm. 

On October 24th, 1998, Brad married the love of his life Shawna Michel Hammond. They welcomed their beloved son Austin December of that year and then relocated their family to Webster ND. Brad was a devoted husband to Shawna. Austin was his pride and joy. Brad was their rock.

Brad worked for Target Roofing for several years until he decided to start his own business doing residential restoration. His business was appropriately named Residential Restoration. When owning his own business became too stressful, he made the decision to make a career change and started to work for the City of Devils Lake. Most recently, he and Austin were able to spend a lot of quality time together as they worked side by side doing maintenance for Impact MHC.

Brad valued hard work and staying busy, but when he had the time to slow down and enjoy life, he made the most of it. Brad was a simple man with many talents. He loved his family and friends with all his heart. He was the life of the party, and you just never knew what he would come up with next. He would stop everything he was doing to visit with you, welcoming each person with an energy that only Brad had. His nieces and nephews meant the world to him. He held a special place in his heart for each of them.

Brad was known to help anyone that needed it. Many would say that he would “give the shirt off his back for anyone”. Brad’s final wish was for his legacy to live on through organ and tissue donation. Through that generous and selfless decision, many people will be forever impacted by their improved quality of life.

Brad is preceded in death by his unborn child and his parents, Norman and Joanie (Mootz) Janzen, as well as grandparents, many aunts and uncles, and lifelong friends. 

Brad will be deeply missed by his wife of almost 25 years, Shawna Michel (Hammond) and his son Austin, both of Webster. His loss will also be mourned by his brother Ryan (Andrea) of Dickinson, his sisters Shannon (of Devils Lake) and Shari (& Waylon of Granville), and his bonus dad and mom, Mike & Carolyn Hammond (of Devils Lake). His nieces and nephews Taylor (Abby), McKayla, Caleb, Kelly (Ben), Kevin, Emma, Riley, Cheyanne, and Morgan will miss his antics, his patience, and his teachings. He is also survived by Dylan (Beth) Honeyman, of West Fargo, and many aunts, uncles, and friends.

There will be a visitation from 5-7 p.m. on Friday September 1, 2023, at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake. At 7 p.m., there will be a time of sharing and remembrance for family and friends.

A celebration of Brad's life will be held on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023 at 11:00 am at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend JoHanna Buchholz officiating. Following the service, Military Honors will be accorded, in the church yard, by the Neathery-Simenson Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team-Air Force. Pallbearers will be his nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers are Terry Anvik, Wade Hanson, Jason Jones, Jerry Allery, Paul Poitra, Terry & Jessica Nelson, Dyson Slaubaugh, Terran Anderson, Pam & Larry Spidahl, Jason Johnson, and Matthew Brandt.