Drew Jay Janssen

Drew Jay Janssen, 44, of Waterloo, Iowa, passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Waterloo. Visitation will be held at Abels Funeral and Cremation Service, Engelkes Chapel in Grundy Center, on Monday, January 5, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a funeral service beginning at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be held privately by the family at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Drew was born December 27, 1980, in Waterloo, Iowa, to his parents Robert and Catherine (Julian) Janssen. He was raised in Grundy County, Iowa and graduated from Grundy Center High School in the class of 1999. While in high school he worked in construction, and upon graduation began his career in construction. He worked for different companies throughout the years but was extremely happy and thoroughly enjoyed working at his most recent company, Failor Hurley Construction in Waterloo.

Drew loved the outdoors, Iowa State football and watching Sunday football with his uncle. He had a deep love for animals, especially dogs. He loved spending time with his friends and family playing pepper and other card games. His true joy in life came from being with his family, especially his niece Kylie and his nephew Jax.

Left to cherish Drew’s memory are his mother, Cathy Janssen; sister Ellie (Kyle) Rissman; twin brother Dirk Janssen (Mary); niece Kylie; nephew Jax; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his beloved English bulldog, Midge; who was his world. He was preceded in death by his father Bob Janssen; his brother Christopher in infancy, paternal grandparents Bud and Hilda Janssen; maternal grandparents Herschal and Eleanor Julian; great-uncle and aunt John and Harriett Janssen; aunts Colleen Speed, Billie Janssen, and Jean Combs; uncles Don Janssen, Chuck Janssen, Bill Anderson, and Stan Raskow; and cousins Blake Janssen and Mike Collins.