Jantzen, Naomi Ruth Schellenberg (1930-2005)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2005 Nov 14 p. 12

Birth date: 1930 Mar 28

text of obituary:

NAOMI RUTH JANTZEN

Naomi Ruth Jantzen, 75, of Cincinnati, Ohio, died on Oct. 27, 2005. She was born March 28, 1930, to Isaac and Tena Schellenberg of Henderson, Neb.

The family soon moved from Nebraska to Vinland, Kan., where she spent most other childhood. As she grew up, she enjoyed 4-H activities and developed her musical talents by learning the piano. She often played at church services of Vinland Methodist Church, where the family attended. She also developed a beautiful soprano voice and greatly enjoyed singing.

She attended Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan., from 1947-51, where she majored in music and elementary school education. She taught in several local school systems - Lehigh, Hillsboro, Hutchinson and Newton - before moving on to Denver, Colo. In 1959 she moved to England, where she taught in the school system for U.S. Air Force personnel, and greatly enjoyed the opportunity to travel from there throughout Europe and the Middle East.

In 1960, she moved back to the U.S. to marry Carl R. Jantzen of Beatrice, Neb., who at the time was a graduate student at Michigan State University. They were married at Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton, Kan.

Together they moved to Oxford, Ohio, where he joined the faculty of Miami University. She taught in the local Headstart program, gave private piano lessons and was active in local and state Democratic politics. The marriage ended in divorce, and in 1975 she moved to Cincinnati, where she pursued a degree in social work.

Music was always important to her, and she was particularly proud of the years she spent singing with the May Festival Chorus at Cincinnati's Music Hall. She was a member of Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship for nearly 30 years.

Survived include a son, Franz, and his wife, Jean Badalamenti, of Washington, D.C.; a brother, James Schellenberg, of Terre Haute, Ind.; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Dec. 10 at Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship.