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Jacob Ben Janz was born on July 11, 1912, the fifth child of Benjamin B & Maria Janz in Tiege, Russia. In 1926 the family moved to Winnipeg Canada then to Lethbridge and finally to Coaldale to farm. The 1930’s were difficult years but they were in a land of freedom and no persecution. Jac was saved when he was 15 years old, and baptized into the MB church when he was 23. He drove school bus for many years and finished high school. He farmed with his father, who held many church responsibilities. In 1942 he drove his Harley Davidson motorbike to Reedley California to hear the Messiah. The city bus lost its way in the fog so he only heard the last “Hallelujahs” much to his disappointment.
He led the church choir and band for many years and in 1943 married his pianist Margaret Martens. In 1945 the first of the six children was born. In 1946-48 he studied music at Winnipeg MBBC- the best years of his life, he said. After returning to their Coaldale farm, he with his wife and three daughters moved to Vauxhall in 1954. Another daughter and two sons added to the family, and continued to farm for 53 years, in the last years greatly supported by his son Ben.
Jac was involved in the church, teaching Sunday school, leading the choir and congregation, working the soundboard, in other church responsibilities. He loved farming, living the transition from rubber boots and horse-drawn binder to pivots and huge tractors. At the age of 94, he and his wife Margaret moved to Coaldale and two years later, on March 3, 2009, he was admitted to the Extended Care Unit of the Coaldale Hospital.
He is remembered as a gentle and wise man, as persistent as was his father BB Janz. He worked hard all his life, enjoyed reading and knowledge, adored farming and music, gave generously to missions and other charities. Above all, he was a faithful follower of his Lord and an example to his family. He loved his family, his children’s families, and his sisters, who will all miss him enormously.
Jac is survived by his loving wife Margaret as well as daughter Marjorie and her daughter Estella; daughter Eleanor (Sam) Petkau and their children Lincoln, Charis, Amberly (Andrew) Williams as well their 6 children, and Ken; daughter Vera (Dwight) Nickel and their children Kleanza (Michael) Bennett and their 4 children, Jared (Shannon Wall) and Kara (John) Skeoch; daughter Irene (Henry) Hamm and their children Julie (Scott) Pravitz and their 2 children, Cherie, James (Rebecca), Megan, and Tim Spierle; son Ben (Ethel) Janz and their 2 children Bryan and Collin; son Alfred (Martha) Janz and their 3 children Michael (Brittany), Cory and Janelle; he is also survived by 2 sisters Mary Neumann and Martha (Jake) Dueck.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 7:30pm to 8:30pm on Sunday, July 5, 2009 at the COALDALE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH, 2114 – 18 Street, Coaldale.
A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, July 6, 2009 at the COALDALE CEMETERY, MENNONITE SECTION followed by a Memorial Service held at 2:00pm at the COALDALE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH, with Pastor Rudy Heidebrecht officiating.
Donations may be made at the church during service time, to the Gideon’s Club. |
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