Janzen, Cornelius L. (1888-1966)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1966 Feb 24 p. 8

Birth date: 1899 Jul 12

text of obituary:

CORNELIUS L. JANZEN

Cornelius L. Janzen was born July 12, 1888 in McPherson County, Kansas. His father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Janzen, taught him in early life the value of the Bible and the Christian life. He spent four years in the school near his home and attended two years at the Bible Preparatory School, Inman, Kan.

On June 7, 1908 he was baptized in the Hoffnungsau Church where the family attended worship services.

Even as a child he had become acquainted with Anna Flaming and when he was 23 they were united in marriage at the same church where he was baptized. After the wedding they moved to a homestead in Hamilton County, Kan., which he had acquired about two years previously. As a result of an electrical storm their first crop was destroyed, forcing them to abandon the place entirely. They moved to Nowata, Okla. to start over again in farming. After about two years it was necessary for them to move back to Newton, Kan. due to mother's health. Two years later they lost all their possessions in a tornado.

Being great in faith and devotion to God, they moved to Newton to start over once more. Here Father Janzen worked at a dairy farm and in the roundhouse. Then a move was made to Buhler, Kan., where the family lived for 12 years except a short time spent in El Paso, Texas. While in Buhler, he worked in the flour mill.

Farming was still his desire, so in 1926 the family moved to a farm in Washita County near Corn, Okla. Fourteen year later a farm was purchased near Custer City where he and the family lived until his retirement in 1959.

Father Janzen has lived a full and happy Christian life. Despite difficult times in providing the needs for a family of eight children, he and mother provided well for the spiritual and physical needs of each. His family and church were his deepest concern.

He is survived by his wife, Anna, and eight children: Hulda Huenergardt, Fresno, Calif.; Allen, Clinton, Okla.; Marven, Caster, Okla.; Gus I., Okeene, Okla.; Hilda Kayser, Muskogee, Okla.; Ruth Jones, Albuquerque, N. M.; LaVerne Brooks, Albuquerque; and Fred, Lubbock, Texas.

He is also survived by 17 grandchildren; four brothers and three sisters, H. L. Janzen, Enid, Okla.; Pete H. Janzen, Newton, Kan.; G. W. Janzen, Reedley, Calif.; Mrs. George Harder, Meade, Kan.; Mrs. Ben H. Janzen, Madrid, Neb.; and Mrs. P. R. Gaeddert, Buhler, Kan.

He departed this life Nov. 29, 1965 at the age of 77 years. Funeral services were held Dec. 2, 1965 in the First Mennonite Church, Clinton, Okla.