Obituary

Laura Balzer Janzen passed away on Wednesday (March 7, 2012), one week shy of her 93rd birthday.

She was born on March 14, 1919, in rural Whitewater to Isaac and Emma (Harms) Balzer. She received her teaching degree from Bethel College and taught in various schools throughout Harvey and Butler Counties. Laura married Henry H. Janzen in 1944 and lived on a farm east of Newton for 57 years. Upon retirement, they moved to North Newton. In addition to being a teacher and working at the Newton Sale Barn for many years, Laura was a farmer’s wife and a mother of two daughters. She will be remembered most for her amazing cooking, sweet, gentle spirit, and her love for her family and the Lord.

Laura is survived by her husband, Henry of North Newton; daughters, Sandra (Donald) Lanzrath of rural Newton and Susan (Marshall) Shelley of Wheaton, Ill.; and one sister, Wilma Harms. She was the beloved grandmother to Darrel fiance’ Tiffany Sutton) Lanzrath of rural Newton, Russell Cara) Lanzrath of Olathe, Andrew Lanzrath of Lenexa, Stacey (Will) Lingle of LaPorte, Ind., Kelsey (Anthony) Kivlehan of Raeford, N.C., and Bayly Shelley of Wheaton, Ill. She also has one great-grandchild, Emilia Kivlehan of Raeford, N.C. Laura was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Bette Harms; two brothers, Art and Raymond Balzer; and two precious grandchildren, Amanda (Mandy) and Toby Shelley.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton, with the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Grace Hill Mennonite Church in rural Whitewater. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. in the Grace Hill Cemetery. A brief viewing will be at 2 p.m. prior to the graveside service at the church. Memorials are suggested to Grace Hill Mennonite Church and Kidron Bethel Retirement Home, in care of Petersen Funeral Home.