Janzen, Hermann (1876-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Jan 7 p. 6

Birth date: 1876 Oct 9

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. David H. Janzen received word of the death of her brother, Herman [sic Hermann] Janzen, on Jan. 4 at Reedley, Calif. Funeral services are to be held there Saturday, Jan. 9. \

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 May 20 p. 9

text of obituary:

REV. HERMAN [sic HERMANN] JANZEN

Rev. Herman [sic Hermann] Janzen, the son of Henry and Katherina (nee Gosen [sic Gossen]) Janzen, was born in South Russia on Oct. 9, 1876, and was permitted to enter into the presence of his precious Savior Jesus Christ on the evening of Jan. 4, 1954, at the age of 77 years, two months and 23 days.

When he was three years old, his parents migrated to America, settling near Inman, Kansas. Here he grew into manhood sharing the hardships of the early pioneer days in helping his parents eke out a meager living for the rest of the large family. He received but little formal schooling due to the lack of opportunity and also because of the work that had to be done at home. At the age of 20, he joined the Hoffnungsau Mennonite church near Inman, Kansas.

On June 19, 1898, he entered into holy wedlock with Sarah Janzen, a neighbor’s daughter. They settled on a farm near Inman where they lived until 1900, when they moved to Medford, Okla. Soon after moving he suffered severely from a serious illness for some time. It was during this illness that he had a deep experience with God, cleansing and yielding his life completely to Him and His service. After living five years at Medford, they moved to western Kansas, settling near Syracuse.

This union was blessed with six children, two sons and four daughters. The oldest son, Henry, died at the age of five. Ours has been a happy and blessed family life, characterized by much hard manual work and also very much time devoted to church work for which he received no remuneration. He was cheerful in it all, not complaining even if things were rather difficult at times. To us as a family, he was very kind, patient, and deeply devoted. We have experienced many hardships and poverty but God, whom we trusted, graciously and marvelously undertook for us.

After his deep experience with God, he took active part in church work. In June 1910, the Ebenflur Mennonite church near Syracuse, Kansas, elected him to serve them as a minister, then known as an evangelist.

In the spring of 1911, the family moved to Escondido, Calif., where he served for seven years in the leadership of the Mennonite church of that community, also lived for one year near Chowchilla, Calif., where again he was active in the preaching and teaching ministry in a community church.

In 1919, we moved to Shafter, Calif. on a farm. In November 1922 we joined the Shafter Mennonite Brethren church and in January 1923, the church elected him to serve as a minister. In January 1924 he was given the leadership of the church in which capacity he served over five years. In 1930, we moved to Reedley, Calif., where he also served in the Mennonite Brethren church as a minister. Sunday school teacher, member of the church council, and in various other ways.

He was a humble man loving his Lord and Savior above all and also ever sought to prefer his fellowman before himself. Two years ago, he would not permit the church to re-elect him into the council because his health was failing.

His health steadily weakened in spite of all medical aid, including an operation. His ailment last fall was established as cancer of the stomach which caused him much discomfort and pain. In it all, he remained cheerful and hopeful, never grumbling nor complaining but ever praising his Lord and encouraging others in their faith.

He left this earth quietly and peacefully as he also had lived, to be forever with the Lord, which is also much better.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife, Sarah Janzen, of Reedley, Calif.; one son, Herman Janzen of Stockton, Calif.; four daughters, Katherine, Mrs. Marten Loepp, Shafter, Calif., Anna, Mrs. A. G. Penner, Dinuba, Calif., Mrs. Minnie Godfrey, Oceana, Calif., Marie, Mrs. P. D. Warkentin, Dinuba; four brothers, Cornelius Janzen of Medford, Okla., Henry Janzen of Buhler, Kansas, Jacob Janzen of Medford, Abraham Janzen of Enid, Okla.; five sisters, Katherine, Mrs. J. R. Klassen, of Dinuba, Helena, Mrs. J. P. Reimer and Miss Anna Janzen, of Medford, Okla., Marie, Mrs. G. B. Regier, Inola, Okla., Eva, Mrs. D. A. Janzen, Newton, Kansas; 22 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.—His Wife and Children.

GRANDMA #39371 Hermann Janzen