Irene May Jantz
Obituary
Hesston - Irene May Jantz, 93, died
peacefully at Schowalter Villa on July 21, 2015. Irene was born on
January 5, 1922, to Philip and Louise (Wiebe) Schmidt on their farm
in Harvey County near Walton. After spending her early years living
in California due to her mother's health condition, they returned to
their farm near Walton where her mother (Louise) died when Irene was
just 10 years old. This was a great loss for Irene and her older
brother Ray, and added many responsibilities to her young life. Her
dad, Philip, did all he could to provide a good life for his young
children playing both father and mother roles. Irene entered grade
school at District 57, in Highland Township, and later graduated from
Walton high school. After high school, Irene spent a time at Bethel
College, after which she worked at Classen Investment and Loan, and
at Hesston State Bank. She also spent some years working for the
Harvey County Treasurers office, the County Superintendent, the
Register of Deeds, and the County Engineer's office.
Irene was married to Milferd Milton
(Emil and Sarah) Jantz on September 23, 1951. They were blessed with
one son, Kent K. Jantz, in 1953. Irene's brother Ray died suddenly in
1959, at age 40, leaving his 5 young children with their mother.
Irene was devastated and remained very close to her 4 nieces and one
nephew until her death. In October 1979, Irene experienced another
devastating loss when her husband Milferd was killed in a farming
accident. She and her son Kent joined forces keeping the dairy
operation going until it could be sold.
After Milferd's death, Irene rejoined
the work force in fall 1980, working full time at the Kansas
Christian Home in Newton. There she enjoyed interacting with the
residents and her co-workers in the housekeeping and laundry
departments. After she retired, she gave full attention to gardening,
fishing, and church work at Walton Mennonite where she was a faithful
member until it closed. She also gave many hours of care and
attention to her two young grandsons, Jason and Troy Jantz, who were
her pride and joy.
Irene loved animals of all kinds,
especially the many dogs she owned during her lifetime. She would
have loved to move them to Hesston when she left the farm in November
1995, for her Schowalter Villa duplex on Hess Street. However, she
decided they were better off on the farm with Kent and his family.
Irene was preceded in death by her
parents, Louise K. and Philip Schmidt, her brother Ray Schmidt, and
her husband Milferd Jantz. Grieving her loss are; her children Kent
and Rosie (Beachey) Jantz, Walton, KS, grandsons Jason Jantz,
Lawrence, Troy and Sara (Horst) Jantz with great grandson, Hudson
Jantz, Hesston; her Schmidt nieces and nephew and their families in
Colorado; her extended Schmidt and Jantz relatives; her Villa
"family;" and her wonderful "Walton Ladies" who
gathered for lunch for many years, determined to remain faithful
friends as they aged together, and celebrated birthdays and other
life events together.
Family and friends are invited to share
in a celebration of life service on 9:30 a.m Aug. 29, 2015 at the
Schowalter Villa Life Center in Hesston. Memorials may be designated
for the Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund in care of Miller-Ott
Funeral Home, Hesston.
