Jantzen, Jakob (1863-1945)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1945 Mar 20 p. 14

Birth date: 1863 Nov 17

Text of obituary:

Aelt. Jakob Jantzen, Sohn von Heinrich und Barbara Hamm Jantzen, ward am 17. Nov., 1863 in Hansau am Trakt, Rußland, geboren und brachte dort seine Jugend zu. 1880 reiste er mit Eltern und vielen andern nach Asien — eine beschwerliche Reise. Sie geschah weil man glaubte dort vom Militär- oder sonstigem Regierungsdienst Freiheit zu genießen. Im März 1881 ward er in Mittelasien von Pred. J. K. Penner getauft. In 1884 wanderte die Familie aus und kam am 12. Sept. in Beatrice, Nebr. an, wo er sich am 24. Jan. 1895, mit Helena Klassen verheiratete und im Februar darauf zog das junge Paar nach Washita County, Oklahoma, nahe dem jetzigen Bessie, nahmen Land auf und machten die arbeitsreichen Pionerjahre [sic Pionierjahre] dort durch. Im Sept. 1899 ward die Herold Gemeinde organisiert und er war nicht nur gleich Glied sondern auch Diakon, und am 3. Juni, 1900 ward er zum Prediger gewählt und diente mit noch 2 Brüdern der Gemeinde. Es war das oft schwer, denn neben der Gemeindearbeit mußte er auch für den Unterhalt seiner Familie sorgen. Als in 1918 die andern beiden Prediger Klassen nach Canada zogen blieb er allein an der Gemeinde stehen. In 1921 ward er als Aeltester gewählt und am 2. Oktober darauf eingeführt. In seinem Aufzeichnungen schrieb er: “So haben wir weiter gearbeitet und gedient und Gott hat seinen Segen gegeben.” Er diente 40 Jahre bis in 1940 ihm die Arbeit zu schwer wurde und er der Gemeinde mitteilte, daß er die Arbeit niederlegen müsse. Am 7. Juli veranstaltete die Gemeinde dann eine besondere Versammlung, wo er seine Abtrittspredigt hielt über Matth. 16:18. Später predigte er noch einigemal, das letzte Mal, am 24. Dez. 1944. Seine Ehe wurde mit 9 Kindern gesegnet, von denen 3 jung und Gertrude, Frau H. H. Horn, in 1937 starb. In 1935 ward seine liebe Gattin heimgerufen. Drei Jahre war seine jüngste Tochter noch bei ihm, dann wohnte er allein in seinem Häuschen, bis er in 1944 an der Flu erkrankte und zu seinem Sohn Heinrich zog. Er erholte sich noch wieder ziemlich. Am 4. Febr. abends verhandelte er noch im Jugendverein ein Thema und am 6. Febr. bekam er Anfälle, die sich am 9ten verschlimmerten. Er war aber meistens klar und sagte viele Liederverse und Sprüche sich und andern zum Trost. Am 10. Febr. um 4. Uhr nachm. kam plötzlich sein Ende. Er wurde 81 J. 2 M. und 24 Tage alt und hinterläßt: 1 Sohn, Heinrich; 4 Töchter: Maria, Frau Ed. Schmidt; Frieda, Frau Ben Reimer; Käthe, Frau Bernhard Reier, und Martha, Frau H. H. Horn mit Familien, auch 2 Brüder und viele Freunde. Die Angehörigen trauern, aber nicht wie Hoffnungslose. Das Begräbnis fand am 14. Febr. statt. Es dienten Pred. Albert Claassen, Text 1 Kor. 15:26; Pred. C. B. Friesen, Lk. 12:35 - 40 und Pred. H. Hege, Lk. 19:17.

English translation:

Elder Jakob Jantzen, son of Heinrich and Barbara Hamm Jantzen, was born on Nov. 17, 1863, in Hahnsau, Am Trakt, Russia, and spent his youth there. In 1880, he travelled with his parents and many others to Asia — an arduous journey. It was done because it was believed that he would enjoy freedom from military or other government service. In March 1881, he was baptized in Central Asia by Preacher J.K. Penner. In 1884, the family emigrated and arrived in Beatrice, Nebraska on Sept. 12, where he married Helena Klassen on Jan. 24, 1895, and the following February the young couple moved to Washita County, Oklahoma, near the current Bessie, took up land and went through the busy pioneer years there. In September 1899 the Herold congregation was organized and he was not only a member but also a deacon, and on 3 June 1900 he was elected preacher and served the congregation with two other brothers. It was often difficult, because in addition to the work of the congregation, he also had to provide for his family. When the two other Klassen preachers moved to Canada in 1918, he remained alone at the congregation. In 1921, he was elected as elder and inducted on October 2. In his notes he wrote: "So we continued to work and serve and God gave his blessing." He served for 40 years until in 1940 the work became too hard for him and he told the congregation that he had to resign. On July 7, the congregation then held a special meeting where he preached his departing sermon about Matt. 16:18. Later he preached a few more times, the last time on 24 Dec. 1944. His marriage was blessed with 9 children, 3 of whom died young and Gertrude, Mrs. H.H. Horn, in 1937. In 1935, his dear wife was called home. His youngest daughter was with him for three years, then he lived alone in his little house until he fell ill with the flu in 1944 and moved in with his son Heinrich. He recovered quite well. On the evening of February 4, he was still discussing a subject in the youth group, and on February 6, he began to have seizures, which worsened on the 9th. However, he was usually lucid and said many hymns and sayings to comfort himself and others. On February 10 at 4 o'clock in the evening his end came suddenly. He reached the age of 81 years, 2 months and 24 days, and leaves behind: 1 son, Heinrich; 4 daughters: Maria, Mrs. Ed. Schmidt; Frieda, Mrs. Ben Reimer; Käthe, Mrs. Bernhard Reier, and Martha, Mrs. H.H. Horn with families, also 2 brothers and many friends. The relatives are mourning, but not like those without hope. The funeral took place on Feb. 14. Serving were preacher Albert Claassen, text 1 Cor. 15:26; preacher C. B. Friesen, Luke 12:35-40 and preacher H. Hege, Luke 19:17.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Feb 15 p. 5

Text of obituary:

Newton And Vicinity

. . .

— Rev. Jacob Jantzen, one of the oldest ministers in Oklahoma, died last Saturday afternoon, at 3:40 in the home of his children, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Jantzen, according to a message received by the Review from Jacob Penner of Clinton. Mr. Penner writes: "He had been in very good health this past year and quite active for his age. He was 81 years last November. He had a stroke while helping his son unload some hay. The doctor was called and there was hope for his recovery. However, our Heavenly Father saw fit to call him home to his reward. He had served the Herold church as minister for 40 years. The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at the Herold church."

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Apr 19 p. 3

Text of obituary:

REV. JACOB JANTZEN

Rev. Jacob Jantzen, son of Heinrich and Barbara Hamm Jantzen, was born November 17, 1863, in the village of Hansau on the Trakt, Russia. In 1880 he emigrated with his parents and many others to Asia, in order to gain freedom for conscience sake, from military conscription. This pilgrimage was connected with great hardships.

In March, 1881, he was baptized upon the confession of his faith by Rev. J. K. Penner.

In 1884 the family continued their migrations, coming to America, and arriving in Beatrice, Nebraska, on September 12 of that same year. There the deceased made his home until he was united in marriage, on January 24, 1895, to Helena Klaassen. Immediately the following February the young couple came to Washita county, Oklahoma, filing a claim near the present town of Bessie, and establishing a homestead on the same site at which he so recently breathed his last. The pioneer years required much strenuous labor.

In September, 1889, the Herold church was organized, of which he became a charter member. He was also at once ordained as deacon.

On June 3, 1900, he was elected into the ministry. With two other brethren he served the congregation. The tasks was an arduous one, for in addition to serving the church, the family had to be provided for.

When the two other ministers moved to Canada in 1918, he was left alone with the work of the church. In 1921 the congregation voted to have him serve as elder, so on October 2 he was ordained.

He served the church for forty years, until 1940, when, due to his age and failing strength, he informed the congregation that he felt it necessary to resign. So on July 7, at a special service, he gave his retiring sermon on Matthew 16:18: "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." He served several times since then, the last time being December 24, 1944, the last Sunday before Christmas.

Their union was blessed with nine children, four of whom preceded him in death, three in infancy, and Gertrude, Mrs. H. H. Horn, in 1937.

In 1935 his beloved wife was taken from his side by death. For the following three years his youngest daughter kept house for him, after which he lived alone in his little cottage until a year ago, when an attack of the flu caused him to make his abode with his son, Henry. The Lord gave grace not only to his recovery, but he regained his full strength and remained vigorously active until four days before his death.

Sunday night, on February 4, he had a topic at the Christian Endeavor, this being his last public appearance. On Tuesday forenoon he had a sudden attack. After a recurring attack a number of times that day,his condition seemed to improve, but on Friday it became worse again. Except for brief moments he was fully conscious at all times, and recited many hymns and passages of Scripture for his own consolation and the inspiration of others. Saturday February 10, he grew weaker and weaker but the Lord granted him presence of mind until his last attack, to which he succumbed in a few brief minutes.

He leaves to mourn his departure one son, Henry; four daughters: Marie, Mrs. Ed Schmidt; Frieda, Mrs. Ben Reimer; Katie, Mrs. Barney Regier; and Martha, Mrs. H. H. Horn; one daughter-in-law and four sons-in-law; 24 grandchildren, one great-grandhcild, all of whom live in this immediate vicinity. We mourn, yet not without hope. — The Children.

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The Mennonite obituary: 1945 Mar 20 p. 13

Text of obituary:

Jacob Jantzen, son of Heinrich and Barbara Hamm Jantzen, was born November 17, 1863, in the village of Hansau on the Trakt, Russia. There he spent his youth and received his education. In 1880 he emigrated with his parents and many others to Asia, in order to gain freedom for conscience sake, from military conscription. This pilgrimage was connected with great hardships.

In March, 1881, he was baptized upon the confession of his faith, by Rev. J. K. Penner.

In 1884 the family continued their migrations, coming to America, and arriving in Beatrice, Nebraska, on September 12th of that same year. There the deceased made his home until he was united in marriage, on January 24, 1895, to Helena Klaassen. Immediately the following February the young couple came to Washita County, Oklahoma, filing a claim near the present town of Bessie, and establishing a homestead on the same site at which he so recently breathed his last. The pioneer years required much strenuous labor.

In September, 1889, the Herold Church was organized, of which he became a charter member. He was also at once ordained as deacon.

On June 3, 1900, he was elected into the ministry. With two other brethren he served the congregation. The task was an arduous one, for in addition to serving the church, the family had to be provided for.

When the two other ministers moved to Canada in 1918, he was left alone with the work of the church. In 1921 the congregation voted to have him serve as elder; so on October 2 he was ordained.

He served the Church for forty years, until 1940, when, due to his age and failing strength, he informed the congregation that he felt it necessary to resign. So on July 7, at a special service, he gave his retiring sermon on Matthew 16:18. "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." He served several times since then, the last time being December 24, 1944, the last Sunday before Christmas.

Their union was blessed with nine children, four of whom preceded him in death, three in infancy, and Gertrude, Mrs. H. H. Horn, in 1937.

In 1935 his beloved wife was taken from his side by death. For the following three years his youngest daughter kept house for him, after which he lived alone in his little cottage until a year ago, when an attack of the flu caused him to make his abode with his son, Henry. The Lord gave grace not only to his recovery, but he regained his full strength and remained vigorously active until four days before his death. Sunday night, on February 4, he had a topic at the Christian Endeavor, this being his last public appearance. On Tuesday forenoon he had a sudden attack. After recurring a number of times that day, his condition seemed to improve, but on Friday it became worse again. Except for brief moments he was fully conscious at all times, and recited many hymns and passages of scripture for his own consolation and the inspiration of others. Saturday, February 10, he grew weaker and weaker, but the Lord granted him presence of mind until his last attack, to which he succumbed in a few brief minutes.

GRANDMA #4935