Obituary

Maynard D. Janzen was born to Otto R. Janzen and Irma L. (Klassen) Janzen in Hillsboro at the home of his grandparents Feb. 21, 1935. He passed away on June 7 at the age of 79 years.

He grew up on a farm east of Goessel and attended a one-room country school in rural Marion County. He graduated from Goessel High School in Goessel. He enjoyed being involved in sports and musical activities. He played piano and saxophone and sang in various musical groups.  He received a bachelor's degree in elementary education and music from Bethel College and taught both general education and music at the elementary level for several years. His musical pursuits included singing in various choirs, and he participated in two choir tours of Europe. He sang with the Chapel Airs Men's Quartet for a number of years, and he accompanied several musical groups, including the Kansas Mennonite Men's Chorus and the Menno Brass. He gave private piano lessons to students for many years and also served as church organist.  His life impacted people at various levels. He enjoyed his independence and was involved in a number of real estate endeavors. He built two houses and, in addition, he moved and remodeled another large house. He owned and maintained a number of rentals and worked as a realtor for some time. He also owned and operated the Hesston Sale Barn for 15 years and later developed the surrounding area for building lots.  His interests encompassed a variety of areas. Music was his first love, but he also enjoyed snow skiing and he owned and flew his own Piper Cherokee airplane. During his college years he spent several summers working in various  agricultural jobs along the West Coast.

Maynard married Ginny Sept. 27, 1980, and they lived together until 1998. They divorced but have remained good friends over the years. Ginny has been very active and supportive in the ensuing years as Maynard's health deteriorated due to Parkinson's Disease.  He is survived by good friend and former wife, Ginny Ramsey of Peabody; his two stepdaughters, Dawn (Tony) Cuellar of Newton, and Danielle (Shaun) Vandiver of Emporia; two brothers, Junior (Joyce) of Hesston, Leon (Juanita) of Hesston; brother-in-law, Tecle (Janet) Weldeghebriel of Coweta, Oklahoma; and a number of step grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  Maynard was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Irma Janzen; a brother, Stuart, and sister, Delpha Dean, who were killed in a tragic automobile accident when they were 11 and 6 years old; and one sister, Sharon Weldeghebriel, who died of cancer.

His independent spirit gave him the drive to accomplish many things. Even at Kidron Bethel he would push the envelope as far as possible, believing if he got into a situation he couldn't handle there would be someone around who would come to the rescue.  The family wants to express heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated staff at K/B for their dedicated support during his stay. The excellent/tender care provided to Maynard would not have been surpassed if they had been taking care of their own father or grandfather. We appreciate the numerous acts of kindness and thoughtfulness extended to the family during this time.

There will be a gathering of friends and family at Kidron Bethel in Menno Hall on Friday, June 20, 2014, from 6 to 8 p.m. Services will be at Bethel College Mennonite Church Saturday, June 21, 2014, at 11 a.m.  Donations in Maynard's memory may be made to Bethel College or Mennonite Central Committee, in care of Petersen Funeral Home.