Jantzen, John H. (1862-1934)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1934 Feb 21 p. 3

Birth date: 1862 Jun 11

text of obituary:

John H. Jantzen

John H. Jantzen passed away on January 29, at the age of 71 years, 7 months and 18 days. He was born June 11, 1862, at Warshawetz, Poland. In his infancy he was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church. In 1884 he emigrated to the United States, remaining in New York for three months and then journeying westward to Kansas.

In 1885 he was united in holy matrimony with Susie Ratzlaff. This union was blessed with 16 children, 12 sons and four daughters. Two o them, Louis and john, preceded him in death.

When the state of Oklahoma opened for settlement he took a claim three miles south and three east of Okeene, where he lived until 1920. At that time he moved to another farm across the road from his former home, remaining there to the time of his departure.

Mr. Jantzen enjoyed good health during his life, except during the last 10 years, when his health began to fail. During the last 18 months his ailment became of such a nature that he was mostly confined to his home. He consulted a number of doctors in the state of Oklahoma and in Kansas, who diagnosed his case as liver and gall bladder trouble, leakage of the heart, and cancer of the stomach.

Besides being a successful farmer and a hard worker, he also devoted himself to the welfare of his family and the upbuilding of the community. He joined the Evangelical St. John’s church as a charter member, and served it as president for a number of years.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife Susie Jantzen, and 14 children, as follows: Mrs. Mathilda Laubhan, Ames, Okla., Mrs. Caroline Grade, Cleo Springs, Okla., Mrs. Lydia Johnson, Taloga, Okla., Bernard Jantzen, Gust Jantzen, and Jacob Jantzen of Watova, Okla., Wm Jantzen, Fred Jantzen, Susie Tautfest, Joe Jantzen, Adolph Jantzen, Theodore Jantzen and Henry Jantzen of Okeene, Okla.

He is also survived by 44 grandchildren, 4 brothers, and one sister. Funeral services were held at the home at one o’clock. Rev. E. Tishhasen of Steinauer, Nebr., former pastor of the Evangelical St. John’s church, and Rev. G. O. Hunter assisted Rev. J. P. Kaiser during the service. Interment was made at the cemetery of the church. — C J. Johnson.