Irene May Jantz

Irene May Jantz, 93, died peacefully at Schowalter Villa on Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Irene was born on January 5, 1922, to Philip and Louise (Wiebe) Schmidt on their farm in Harvey County near Walton, KS. After spending her early years living in CA 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, KS. 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, KS, Troy and Sara (Horst) Jantz with great grandson, Hudson Jantz, Hesston, KS; her Schmidt nieces and nephew and their families in CO; 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 Saturday, August 29, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. at the Schowalter Villa Life Center in Hesston, KS. Memorials may be designated for the Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund.

Irene May Jantz

January 5, 1922 - July 21, 2015