Marie F. Bergman Jantz
Obituary
NEWTON — Marie F. Bergman Jantz, 97, passed away on Thursday
(May 24, 2012) at Asbury Park.
She was born to Maria Goertz Bergman and Cornelius Funk
Bergman on Oct. 29, 1914, in Hillsboro.
She spent her early years in Hillsboro and across the border
in Canada with her family and many Mennonite relatives.
In 1926, the family moved to Newton. In 1931, she was
baptized in the First Mennonite Church. She graduated from Newton High School
in 1933. She went to Bethel College one year (from 1933 to 1934) and then
worked for two years to go to Emporia State Teachers College. While there, she
earned a teaching certificate in 1937. She then taught in one-room schools
around Durham, McLains and Peabody. While teaching, she got her Lifetime
certificate in 1940.
Marie met her future husband, Alvin F. Jantz, while
attending a cousin’s wedding in Durham. After a courtship and writing to each
other, they were married on June 14, 1941, in First Mennonite Church in Newton.
After their marriage, she quit teaching and became a mother and housewife. They
lived in Wichita and Newton while Alvin was in the Navy, before deciding to
settle in Newton.
She is survived by her children, James A. Jantz and wife,
Cathie of Wichita, Janice M. Donovan of Salt Lake City, Allen E. Jantz and
wife, Darlene of Sacramento, Calif., and Jerald C. Jantz of Newton; eight
grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alvin in
2005; brothers, Albert and Elmer before she was born; sisters, Viola Hettinger
and Edna Hollasch; and son-in-law, Charles D. Donovan.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday (May 29, 2012)
at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton, with the family receiving friends from 6:30
to 8 p.m.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday (May 30, 2012)
at First Mennonite Church in Newton, with Pastors Anita Kehr and Kay Schroeder
presiding. Graveside committal service
will be 9:30 a.m. Wednesday (May 30, 2012) at Haven of Rest Cemetery in rural
Hillsboro.
Memorials are suggested to Asbury Park Caring Fund, in care
of Petersen Funeral Home.
