Former Grinnell Mutual president, Larry Jansen, dies at 75
Larry Jansen, 75, died at home on Oct. 3, 2022. Jansen was Grinnell Mutual’s president from 2012 to 2017.
Born in 1947, Jansen was raised on the family farm near State Center, Iowa, and received his bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Iowa. He served in the Army National Guard of Iowa and was honorably discharged in 1975. He and his wife of 51 years, Echo, have one son, Justin and two grandchildren.
Career
Jansen was tapped to be president during an especially tumultuous time in the company’s history and after three years of unprecedented losses. In his five years as president, he was instrumental in making changes and difficult decisions that ultimately set Grinnell Mutual up for several record years of profitability.
Jansen joined Grinnell Mutual in 1979 as a personal lines underwriting manager. Over the next 33 years, Jansen moved up through the ranks and held positions as regional underwriting manager, regional vice president, and senior vice president of underwriting and production. He also served as president of Grinnell Select Insurance Company and Grinnell Specialty Agency, two Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company subsidiaries.
Before coming to Grinnell Mutual, Jansen worked at Hawkeye Security Insurance Company and Maryland Casualty Insurance Company.
Industry and community
Jansen was very active in the insurance industry and was instrumental in establishing the Iowa FAIR Plan, which helps provide basic property insurance to applicants who cannot find coverage elsewhere. He also helped establish the Mutual Insurance Association of Iowa (MIAI) and the Iowa Automotive Insurance Plan.
The Grinnell community also benefitted from Jansen’s vision and commitment. He supported the Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell United Way, St. Mary parish, and Leadership Iowa. He served on the Grinnell-Newburg Community School District and Grinnell Area Mental Health Consortium boards.
During his tenure as Grinnell Mutual’s president, was twice recognized (in 2014 and 2017) as Iowa’s top leader of a large company by Iowa’s Top Workplace. In 2018, he was inducted into the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame.
“I am blessed to have so many outstanding memories of Larry, especially when we traveled together on business. It was always an adventure full of stories and laughter,” said Grinnell Mutual’s current president and Jansen’s successor, Jeff Menary. “I have special memories of how Larry helped so many of the employees at Grinnell Mutual. He was also so proud and devoted to his family. Larry was a great man. An outstanding leader, mentor, and friend.”Larry Jansen, 75, died at home on Oct. 3, 2022. Jansen was Grinnell
Jansen was tapped to be president during an especially tumultuous time in the company’s history and after three years of unprecedented losses. In his five years as president, he was instrumental in making changes and difficult decisions that ultimately set Grinnell Mutual up for several record years of profitability.
Jansen joined Grinnell Mutual in 1979 as a personal lines underwriting manager. Over the next 33 years, Jansen moved up through the ranks and held positions as regional underwriting manager, regional vice president, and senior vice president of underwriting and production. He also served as president of Grinnell Select Insurance Company and Grinnell Specialty Agency, two Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company subsidiaries.
Before coming to Grinnell Mutual, Jansen worked at Hawkeye Security Insurance Company and Maryland Casualty Insurance Company.
Industry and community
Jansen was very active in the insurance industry and was instrumental in establishing the Iowa FAIR Plan, which helps provide basic property insurance to applicants who cannot find coverage elsewhere. He also helped establish the Mutual Insurance Association of Iowa (MIAI) and the Iowa Automotive Insurance Plan.
The Grinnell community also benefitted from Jansen’s vision and commitment. He supported the Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell United Way, St. Mary parish, and Leadership Iowa. He served on the Grinnell-Newburg Community School District and Grinnell Area Mental Health Consortium boards.
During his tenure as Grinnell Mutual’s president, was twice recognized (in 2014 and 2017) as Iowa’s top leader of a large company by Iowa’s Top Workplace. In 2018, he was inducted into the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame.
“I am blessed to have so many outstanding memories of Larry, especially when we traveled together on business. It was always an adventure full of stories and laughter,” said Grinnell Mutual’s current president and Jansen’s successor, Jeff Menary. “I have special memories of how Larry helped so many of the employees at Grinnell Mutual. He was also so proud and devoted to his family. Larry was a great man. An outstanding leader, mentor, and friend.”