Schantz, Christian Klopenstein (1871-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Apr 25 p. 3

Birth date: 1871 Nov 7

text of obituary:

Well-Known Builder Dies at Wayland, Ia.

C. K. SCHANTZ ERECTED CHURCHES, HOMES AND OTHER STRUCTURES

Wayland, Iowa. — Funeral services were conducted at the Wayland Mennonite Church for C. K. Schantz, well-known building contractor of this community, Rev. Loris A. Habegger, the pastor, officiated.

Death came April 10 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, at the age of 85.

A resident of this community for most of his life, Mr. Schantz was engaged in the building trade for half a century. During this time he constructed over 200 homes in this area, as well as a number of churches and other structures. Among the churches built under his direction were the Wayland Mennonite, following the congregation's organization in 1900, Eicher Mennonite and Sugar Creek Mennonite of this community, as well as Mennonite churches near Flanagan, Ill. and Kalona, Iowa.

He had been a member of the Wayland congregation since 1904.

Surviving are his wife, the former Margret Rich, a son, Gilbert, and four grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 May 2 p. 8

text of obituary:

C. K. SCHANTZ

A life of service to fellow man and to God began for Christian Klopenstein Schantz near Wayland, Iowa. He was born on Nov. 7, 1871, the son of Peter and Katherine (Klopenstein) Schantz. A long life of labor and courageous living ended when death released him at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, on April 10, 1957 at10:30 p.m. He had been confined to the hospital for the last two weeks. It was only in the last month that his condition became serious, necessitating cessation of routine daily activities.

He lived on the farm with his parents and attended school in the Wayland community. Since formal education was to a great extent out of his reach, he reached out for the great fund of learning which can be had though indomitable perseverance and self-teaching. He read widely and maintained a steady stream of correspondence with those who could tell him more about his vocational needs.

In his early adult years he went to Tacoma, Wash. to seek vocational opportunities but soon returned to Wayland. The early decease of his father necessitated his working to assist his mother. He began the carpenter trade by working for his half-brother, Peter, and for Nathaniel Oxley. After a short apprenticeship to these men he succeeded them as head of a building crew.

In the fifty years of labor in the building profession, from 1897 to Feb. 1, 1947, he distinguished himself as architect, contractor and laborer. During this half century he constructed over 200 homes in the surrounding territory as well as numerous other structures. Among his more precious memories was the construction of the following churches: Wayland Mennonite Church after its organization in 1900, Eicher Mennonite and Sugar Creek Mennonite churches near Wayland, a Mennonite church near Flanagan, Ill., and one near Kalona, Ia.

In 1900 he toured continental Europe. After his tour he erected the home in Wayland to which he brought his bride Margaret Rich, after their marriage by Rev. S. M. Musselman on July 4, 1905. Throughout their years together the couple made their home in this first residence. There the couple was able to greet friends on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary in 1955.

He joined the Wayland Mennonite Church on Nov. 24, 1904, and remained a faithful member here throughout his life. For a time he taught a S. S. class and throughout his life was a faithful attendant at all services.

To him and his faithful wife were born three sons. Two of these, Clarence Frederick and Raymond rich, preceded him as did three half-brothers and one half-sister. Survivors include the widow of the home; a son Gilbert and his wife, Ann, Wellsburg; a daughter-in-law Mrs. Alice Peterson, Gary Ind.; and four grandchildren, Mrs. Joan Anderson, a senior at Drake university in Des Moines, Mark, Mary and Robert Chris of Wellsburg. A large family of relatives and a host of friends also mourn his departure.