Remembering Marty Jansen

Every organization has an origins story, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services is no exception.

Perhaps you know our history. It began one late night 25 years ago when Deaf community leader Marty Jansen woke up in bed in the midst of a heart attack. His wife Dianne tried to call 911, but because she is severely hard of hearing, the 911 center kept hanging up on them. She finally did get through and Marty was rushed to the hospital. There, because the hospital did not have a roster of interpreters for the Deaf, one interpreter was stuck interpreting for hours on end. When the interpreter had to leave, the Jansens were left wondering when they would get the next interpreter, if at all.

When word spread, it was the final straw for many. Interpreters, hearing service providers and Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers, including the Jansens, came together and said, “Enough is enough. We need a comprehensive, full-service agency addressing the needs of our Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.”

This week Martin Conrad Jansen passed away at the age of 81. He is survived by Dianne, his wife of 57 years, and a host of family and friends. And he will be remembered by so many, including all of us at Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services. The organization that began 25 years ago has grown into the vision Marty and Dianne and so many others had for it.

In his obituary, Marty is remembered as a kind, peaceful soul who served as a mentor to many people. It said too that: “During his time on this earth, Martin was a servant to his community by being a voice for those who couldn’t speak.”

We will miss Marty Jansen, but we are forever grateful that the organization we serve is also a voice for those who sometimes need a voice, an advocate for those who sometimes need a helping hand, and a resource in 27 counties in West Michigan for interpreters, training, ASL classes and so much more.

RIP Marty. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Deb Atwood, Executive Director

on behalf of the entire D&HHS staff