Dale J. Jantzen

Dale James Jantzen, son of Henry W. and Louise Ensz Jantzen was born February 10, 1932 in Beatrice, NE and went to his heavenly home on September 27, 2025 at the age of 93. He grew up in farming communities surrounding Plymouth, NE and attended nearby schools. During his 1-W Service while he was helping to build Prairie View Mental Health Center in Newton, KS, he met Ruby R. Strausz who was also in voluntary service. They were married from 1955-1980 and lived and farmed near Moundridge, KS. Their farm was previously established by Ruby’s parents and grandparents on land initially purchased from the Sante Fe Railroad in 1874. Four children were born to Dale and Ruby: Terry, Denise, Kent and Kirby. Dale and Lois M. Ferguson Finch married in 1988 where they lived on a farmstead near Sedgwick while Dale continued to farm near Moundridge. Dale became a step-father to Lois’ three daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lois went to her heavenly home on January 13, 2006. Dale married Elda R. Penner Schrag on May 3, 2008 when he became a step-father to Elda’s two sons and daughter along with grandchildren and great grandchildren. Elda went to her heavenly home on January 28, 2019. For the past nearly four years, Dale lived at Pine Village in Moundridge, KS. His favorite activity was the Hymn Sings. Dale’s faith was a very important part of his life. The stack of Bible verses that he had memorized as a boy traveled with him throughout his life. As an adult, Dale was a lifelong member of West Zion Mennonite Church in Moundridge, KS where he attended faithfully until his health no longer allowed. He also attended Central Christian Community Church in Wichita while he and Lois were married. Farming was Dale’s occupation and passion along with crop watching and crop touring. He loved nothing more than driving on a country road to assess how his crops and others’ crops were faring. Dale also enjoyed researching family history and sharing what he had learned with family members. He was particularly interested in the published book titled “Journey of Faith in a Hostile World: Memoirs of Herman Jantzen” who was his Grandpa John H. Jantzen’s cousin. Survivors include: Children, Terry Jantzen (Ruby), Denise Shipley (Jim), Kent Jantzen (Amy), Kirby Jantzen (Julie); step-children, Linda Clatterbuck, Kerry Schrag (Sue Smith), Leslie Schrag, Janell Janzen (John); grandchildren, Jake Jantzen, Abigail Carr, Callie Bengston (Carl); great-grandchildren, Elijah Jantzen, Avery Jantzen, Logan Jantzen, William Bengston and Rosella Bengston and numerous step- grandchildren and step-great grandchildren. Dale was preceded in death by: his parents; wives, Ruby R., Lois M., and Elda R.; brother Harold Jantzen; sisters, Linda Champ, Elsie Barnard and Mildred Dux; sister-in-law Anna Jantzen; brothers-in-law; Lewis Champ, Howard Barnard and Elmer Dux and numerous cousins and step-in-laws. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, October 2, 2025 at West Zion Mennonite Church, Moundridge. Services will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/live/9kCZFiShIYQ?si=eqdJyClBDpYuTAmw. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, October 1, at Moundridge Funeral Home with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pine Village in care of Moundridge Funeral Home, PO Box 410, Moundridge, KS 67107.

Dale J. Jantzen

February 10, 1932 - September 27, 2025