Obituary for Henry Janzen
It is with sadness, but peace in our hearts, we the family announce the passing of our dear father Henry Janzen on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home.
Our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his daughter Margaret (Henry) Daniels and grandchildren Andrea (Phil), Julie (Zach) and great-grandchildren Otto and Ambrose, Philip (Jessica); daughter Anne (Gerhard) Heidebrecht and grandchildren Krista (Daryl) and great-grandchildren Braden and Cohen, David (Sydney), Steven (Megan); son Henry (Lara) Janzen and grandchildren Luke and Micah; daughter Doris (Jake) Friesen; daughter Carolene (Wally) Funk and grandchildren Macaila, Jenae and Dannica.
Henry was recently predeceased by his wife Helen on June 5th, 2022, his parents Adolf and Anna Janzen (nee Toews), stepmother Maria, brother Peter Janzen, sister Anna Plank, brother Johann Janzen, and brother Jacob Janzen.
Henry Janzen was born on August 4, 1926 in Rosengart, Ukraine, and was the 4th of 8 children. He grew up in the tumultuous times during Stalin’s rule, when the fruit of their labor went to the collective. He initially went to grade school in Rosengart, and from grade 5-8 attended grade school in Osterwich. Even though they were working for the collective, he enjoyed working on the farm and taking care of horses.
In 1940 during WWII, the German army advanced occupying Rosengart. In October 1943, with the retreat of the German army, the trek westward began by wagon and then train. By the end of 1943 he was in Austria. Soon after, Henry was drafted into the German army and was posted in Denmark. After the war, he worked on a farm in Göttingen, and via the Red Cross, he was eventually reunited with his family. On October 23rd, 1948 he left Germany by ship from Bremerhaven, arrived in Halifax, and travelled by train to McCreary. He worked on a farm in McCreary, Manitoba, where his family was sponsored by Uncle Isaac Kasdorf. It was in these first months in Canada that Henry was baptized upon confession of his faith on May 29th, 1949 in the town of McCreary, Manitoba. He worked on various farms, drove truck, and was part of a crew building the Trans-Canada Highway. On New Year’s Eve in 1952, he met Helen Enns through common friends. They were married on June 14th, 1953 and would have just celebrated their 69th Anniversary. They were blessed with five children: Margaret, Anne, Henry, Doris, and Carolene.
The focus of Henry’s life was providing for his family, church, and going fishing. Sunday lunches were very important weekly gatherings. When the kids became adults, these meals often included sampling his latest batch of wine. Many home renovations brought him happiness through working side-by-side with his sons-in-law, and creating a home where the family could enjoy their time together. Serving as an usher for 50 years greeting everyone Sunday mornings, brought him great joy, and he developed many connections and friendships along the way. His ushering days started at Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church, then at Springfield Heights Mennonite Church and lastly at Douglas Mennonite Church. Fishing on weekends was a passion of Henry’s. There were many fishing trips on the beautiful lakes and rivers in Manitoba, with fried walleye the next day. Later in life, he enjoyed fishing for salmon and sturgeon on the Columbia River in Oregon. Family road trips east and west across Canada, along with summer vacations on Manitoba lakes were a highlight. He started working at Qualico Homes in 1957 doing various home building construction trades, and ended his working years at Woodland Supply. It was during his years at Woodland Supply that custom kitchen cutting boards found their way into his children’s homes. He retired at age 65 in August, 1991, and enjoyed spending more time with family and friends. His many trips to Clear Lake with Helen and siblings was something he cherished. Henry, together with his siblings and in-laws also enjoyed celebrating birthdays and anniversaries into his 90’s. He enjoyed dominos and card games with friends and family, having regular domino games until he was 95. Even on June 26, 2022 a family visit included a long game of dominos.
Henry was blessed with eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, all of which have enjoyed many family trips for ice cream and learning how to play Mexican Train dominos. Due to health challenges, Henry moved to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home on December 14th, 2021. Here he could more easily visit Helen. He continued playing dominos and joking with staff. We his family would like to thank all the staff who provided compassionate care and support for him during these last months of his life.
Dad’s zest for life and family will live on!
The funeral service will be held on Friday July 8th, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Douglas Mennonite Church, 1517 Rothesay Street, with interment following at Sage Creek Cemetery.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home or Mennonite Central Committee.
Our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his daughter Margaret (Henry) Daniels and grandchildren Andrea (Phil), Julie (Zach) and great-grandchildren Otto and Ambrose, Philip (Jessica); daughter Anne (Gerhard) Heidebrecht and grandchildren Krista (Daryl) and great-grandchildren Braden and Cohen, David (Sydney), Steven (Megan); son Henry (Lara) Janzen and grandchildren Luke and Micah; daughter Doris (Jake) Friesen; daughter Carolene (Wally) Funk and grandchildren Macaila, Jenae and Dannica.
Henry was recently predeceased by his wife Helen on June 5th, 2022, his parents Adolf and Anna Janzen (nee Toews), stepmother Maria, brother Peter Janzen, sister Anna Plank, brother Johann Janzen, and brother Jacob Janzen.
Henry Janzen was born on August 4, 1926 in Rosengart, Ukraine, and was the 4th of 8 children. He grew up in the tumultuous times during Stalin’s rule, when the fruit of their labor went to the collective. He initially went to grade school in Rosengart, and from grade 5-8 attended grade school in Osterwich. Even though they were working for the collective, he enjoyed working on the farm and taking care of horses.
In 1940 during WWII, the German army advanced occupying Rosengart. In October 1943, with the retreat of the German army, the trek westward began by wagon and then train. By the end of 1943 he was in Austria. Soon after, Henry was drafted into the German army and was posted in Denmark. After the war, he worked on a farm in Göttingen, and via the Red Cross, he was eventually reunited with his family. On October 23rd, 1948 he left Germany by ship from Bremerhaven, arrived in Halifax, and travelled by train to McCreary. He worked on a farm in McCreary, Manitoba, where his family was sponsored by Uncle Isaac Kasdorf. It was in these first months in Canada that Henry was baptized upon confession of his faith on May 29th, 1949 in the town of McCreary, Manitoba. He worked on various farms, drove truck, and was part of a crew building the Trans-Canada Highway. On New Year’s Eve in 1952, he met Helen Enns through common friends. They were married on June 14th, 1953 and would have just celebrated their 69th Anniversary. They were blessed with five children: Margaret, Anne, Henry, Doris, and Carolene.
The focus of Henry’s life was providing for his family, church, and going fishing. Sunday lunches were very important weekly gatherings. When the kids became adults, these meals often included sampling his latest batch of wine. Many home renovations brought him happiness through working side-by-side with his sons-in-law, and creating a home where the family could enjoy their time together. Serving as an usher for 50 years greeting everyone Sunday mornings, brought him great joy, and he developed many connections and friendships along the way. His ushering days started at Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church, then at Springfield Heights Mennonite Church and lastly at Douglas Mennonite Church. Fishing on weekends was a passion of Henry’s. There were many fishing trips on the beautiful lakes and rivers in Manitoba, with fried walleye the next day. Later in life, he enjoyed fishing for salmon and sturgeon on the Columbia River in Oregon. Family road trips east and west across Canada, along with summer vacations on Manitoba lakes were a highlight. He started working at Qualico Homes in 1957 doing various home building construction trades, and ended his working years at Woodland Supply. It was during his years at Woodland Supply that custom kitchen cutting boards found their way into his children’s homes. He retired at age 65 in August, 1991, and enjoyed spending more time with family and friends. His many trips to Clear Lake with Helen and siblings was something he cherished. Henry, together with his siblings and in-laws also enjoyed celebrating birthdays and anniversaries into his 90’s. He enjoyed dominos and card games with friends and family, having regular domino games until he was 95. Even on June 26, 2022 a family visit included a long game of dominos.
Henry was blessed with eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, all of which have enjoyed many family trips for ice cream and learning how to play Mexican Train dominos. Due to health challenges, Henry moved to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home on December 14th, 2021. Here he could more easily visit Helen. He continued playing dominos and joking with staff. We his family would like to thank all the staff who provided compassionate care and support for him during these last months of his life.
Dad’s zest for life and family will live on!
The funeral service will be held on Friday July 8th, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Douglas Mennonite Church, 1517 Rothesay Street, with interment following at Sage Creek Cemetery.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home or Mennonite Central Committee.