Janzen, Jacob J. (1889-1966)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1966 Jul 14 p. 7

Birth date: 1889 Aug 11

text of obituary:

Retired Businessman Dies in California

Fresno, Calif. — Jacob J. Janzen, 76, retired Henderson, Neb. hardware store owner and a resident of this community the past 15 years, died at his home here July 3 after a long illness.

He was a charter member of the Mennonite Community Church of Fresno, where the funeral was conducted.

Surviving him are his widow, Susan; two daughters, Mrs. Verna Epp of Fresno and Mrs. Wilma Wall of Lincoln, Neb.; two sons, Victor of Reedley, Calif. and Curtis of Chicago; four brothers, David and Herman, both of Henderson William of Dallas, Ore., and Gus of York Neb.; two sisters, Mrs. Anna Ratzlaff and Mrs. Matilda Penner, both of Henderson, and 11 grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary:1966 Sep 1 p. 8

text of obituary:

J. J. JANZEN

On Aug. 11, 1889 a son, Jacob was born to David A. and Anna (Friesen) Janzen at Henderson, Nebr. He was the first of eight children. The early years of his life were spent in the fellowship of the Bethesda Mennonite Church, where he was baptized in the spring of 1910 by Rev. H. H. Epp.

After spending a year at Bible school in Mountian [sic] Lake, Minn., a year at the academy at York, Neb., and a year at Bethel College, Newton, Kan., he returned to Henderson to teach.

He was married to Helen Wiebe of Mountain Lake, Minn. on Nov. 1, 1911. In 1913 they with his brother Dave worked the homestead land at Langham, Sask. It was here that he was chosen to assist in the ministry of the church.

Upon returning to Henderson, he and his father, and later his brother, Herman, established the Janzen Hardware. Four children were born at Henderson, before Helen was taken in death in 1932. In August of 1934, Susan Schroeder of Mountian [sic] Lake became wife and mother to Jacob and his children. They shared joys and sorrows for nearly 32 years.

After 35 years in the hardware business, Jacob retired and moved to Fresno, Calif. in 1952. Here he assisted his son and son-in-law in opening their hardware store. He continued his strong and effective leadership in the work of the church, and helped to found the Mennonite Community Church. He was the first deacon of this group.

On July 3, 1966, after almost 77 years of a full and dedicated life, the Lord whom he loved and served called his life in our fellowship to a close, that he might know the more perfect fellowship of His Lord for all eternity.

He is survived by his wife, Susan, two daughters, Verna (Mrs. Howard Epp) of Fresno, and Wilma (Mrs. Samuel Wall) of Lincoln, Nebr.; two sons Victor of Reedly [sic Reedley], Calif., and Curtis of Chicago, Ill.; two sons-in-law; two daughters-in-law; 11 grandchildren; two sisters, Anna (Mrs. H. J. Ratzlaff) and Mathilda (Mrs. J. R. Penner) of Henderson, four brothers, Herman and Dave of Henderson, Gus of York, Nebr., and Bill of Dallas, Ore. One brother, Pete, preceded him in death.

Funeral services were conducted at the Mennonite Community Church of Fresno on July 6, 1966 with Rev. Ron Ropp and Rev. Dan Schellenberg in charge.

The Mennonite obituary: 1966 Aug 2 p. 485