Janzen, Delpha Dean (1950-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Oct 11 p. 1

Birth date: 1949 Nov 29

text of obituary:

Services Held For Brother & Sister

FATALLY INJURED IN TWO-CAR COLLISION NORTH OF WALTON

Double funeral services were held at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church near Goessel on Wednesday afternoon for Delpha Dean Janzen, 6, and Gilbert Stuart Janzen,11, children of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Janzen of Route 2, Hillsboro, who were fatally injured in an auto accident north of Walton last Friday afternoon. Rev. P. A. Wedel, the pastor, was in charge of the services.

The children and their father were traveling south on County Road 829 en route to Walton when their car and one driven by an Ottawa man, going east on a township road, met in the middle of the intersection.

Delpha Dean died shortly after the crash, and Gilbert passed away Sunday night at Bethel Deaconess Hospital wihtout [sic] regaining consciousness. Mr. Janzen was confined to the hospital with a fractured knee, and the other driver had a head injury.

Besides their parents, the two children are survived by three brothers and one sister, Junior, teacher of Hesston; Maynard, teaching near Hillsboro; and Leon and Sharon of the home.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Nov 8 p. 8

text of obituary:

GILBERT STUART AND DELPHA DEAN JANZEN

Gilbert Stuart Janzen was born on March 23, 1945, the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. Otto R. Janzen of rural Hillsboro, Kansas. His happy childhood was interrupted several times by seven attacks of bronchial pneumonia.

On Nov. 29, 1949, Delpha Dean was born. She was a healthy little girl and readily took her place as the first girl in the family. Delpha Dean and Stuart became very fond of each other and played together often until their death. These two children found much enjoyment in each other and gave much joy and sunshine to the parents and brothers.

Stuart was in the sixth grade. He took an increasing interest in the Pleasant Valley School as well as in Bible verse memorizing. He was a faithful scholar and enjoyed related the stories read in school.

Delpha Dean also attended the Pleasant Valley School. She always accompanied her brother Stuart to school. they were diligent and helpful children, assisting their mother with the household duties and offering help wherever needed. Their friendly and cheerful attitude were a constant joy to the home and to others. This will be greatly missed.

Both children liked to sing and they sang often. When in Bible school Stuart learned numerous choruses and then taught them to his sister at home. Each night before falling asleep she would say her prayer and then follow with the chorus, "Into My Heart."

This year Stuart decided to finish the 500 Bible verses of the Rural Bible Crusade program. He carefully worked out a schedule as to how many verses he should memorize each day to complete this assignment. The verses in St. John's Gospel were the ones he especially memorized in the last days.

Both children were also good Sunday School scholars, preparing their lessons carefully and attending church regularly. In the fall of 1953 Stuart responded to an altar call at an evangelistic meeting. He made a definite decision for Christ at that time.

This year Stuart was in the sixth grade while Delpha was in the second grade. At 4:20 on Oct. 5, 1956, shortly after school was dismissed Delpha Dean met death at an intersection and her brother Stuart was also fatally injured. The father was also severely injured, but by the grace of God his life was spared.

Delpha reached the age of six years, ten months, and six days. Her brother never regained complete consciousness after the accident. In spite of all the doctors' and nurses care, his breathing was difficult and every hour seemed to be a crisis between life and death. On Sunday, Oct. 7, 1956, at 9;05 p. m. he departed this life in order to receive a fuller life where death has no power. He reached the age of 11 years, six months and 14 days. He passed away at the Bethel Hospital, Newton, Kansas.

Those who mourn their departure are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Janzen, Maynard, Leon, and Sharon of the home at Hillsboro, and Mr. and Mrs. Junior Janzen of Hesston; the grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and many friends who mourn their sudden departure.

Preceding them in death were the grandparents from their father's side, one aunt, one uncle, and two cousins.

"And He took them up in His arms, put his hands upon them and blessed them." Mark 10:16.

Funeral services were held on Oct. 10, 1956, at the Alexanderwohl church in charge of Rev. P. A. Wedel, assisted by Rev. Waldo Kaufman of Elbing. At the funeral home Rev. H. B. Schmidt conducted the services. — The Otto R. Janzen family.