Janzen, John A. (1883-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 July 25 p. 30

Birth date: 1883 Nov 19

text of obituary:

JOHN A. JANZEN

John Aron Janzen, was born on November 19, 1883 at Mountain Lake, Minnesota to Aron F. and Anna (Neufeld) Janzen. He received his first schooling at the neighbour's farm and later attended school in Mountain Lake.At the age of 17 he realized his lost condition without Christ and during revival meetings, conducted by Rev. John Pankratz, he made peace with God, based on I Timothy 1: 15.

Later that year he was baptized by Elder Heinrich Voth and received as a member of the Carson Mennonite Brethren Church. On February 20, 1908 he married Anna Flaming, In 1911 they moved to Reedley, California: where the Lord took their first son, Henry, at the age of one year. Shortly thereafter they homesteaded at Chinook, Montana. Here they were ordained as deacons by Elder Heinrich Voth. During this time they lost their second son, Johnny, at the age of four.

After seven years of drought they moved to Mennon, Sask. and enjoyed 25 years of fellowship in the Dalmeny MB Church. Here at Dalmeny their oldest daughter, Alma, passed away suddenly at age 20.

The next move was to Matsqui, B.C. in 1943. In 1954 his wife Anna passed away. In 1956 he married (Mrs,) Justina Heppner at Salem, Oregon, where they made their home and had membership in the Kingwood Bible Church.

"I have nothing to boast, it's only God's grace that kept me and by the precious blood of Jesus Christ I'll go home to glory," he wrote. On June 4 he went home, at age 91. He was predeceased by his first wife, Anna; two sons, Henry and Johnny; two daughters, Alma and Susan (Mrs. Orval) Ratzlaff; two brothers, Aron and Frank; and two sisters, Sarah and Anne.

Surviving him are his wife Justina; three daughters, Elizabeth (Mrs. Bill G.) Wiebe and Anne at Abbotsford and Frieda in Kano, Nigeria; three sons, Sam in Kelowna, Arnold in Cranbrook, and John in Kamloops, B.C.; his seeond wife's daughter, Marcella (Mrs . Harry) Ediger at Seattle. Wash; 11 grand children and 11 great-grandchildren; three sisters and one brother.

The funeral was held in the Central Heights Mennonite Brethren Church, Abbotsford, B.C. on June 7. Rev. Rudy Boschman officiated, assisted by Rev. Henry H. Nikkel.