MARGARET JANZ

1923 - 2010

Margaret Janz, beloved wife of the late Jacob Janz of Coaldale, passed away in Lethbridge on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at the age of 86 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, July 16, 2010 from 8:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
A private family burial service will be held at the Coaldale Mennonite Cemetery prior to the funeral service on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Vauxhall Mennonite Brethren Church, 320 - 9 Street North, Vauxhall on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 2:30 P.M. with Pastor Elroy Senneker officiating.
Margaret Janz was born August 29, 1923, to Peter and Helena Martens in Alexanderwohl, Ukraine. Immigrating to Canada in 1925, the family settled on a farm in Coaldale. In the spring of 1935, she yielded to God’s tug on her heart and accepted Him as her personal Savior. Playing piano for the choir under the direction of Jacob Janz, eventually led to their marriage on August 29, 1943. The next years were spent farming, attending the Mennonite Brethren Bible College (1946-1948), then moving to a farm in Vauxhall where they lived for the next fifty three years. These years were filled with rearing six children, overseeing vegetable and flower gardens, hoeing sugar beets, tending chickens, canning, sewing quilts for home and others, multiple handicrafts and needle work, playing piano and later organ at church, teaching piano to myriads of students and writing letters to loved ones. Margaret had always wanted to write her life-story, so she began a few years ago and last year she finally held the published book in her hands - “Come Walk With Me”. Due to her failing health, they moved back to Coaldale in January of 2007. Jacob died last year, and Margaret moved into the Sunny South Lodge which she has thoroughly enjoyed. Margaret’s zest for living, strong family and friendship bonds, love of beauty and music, and faith in her God underpin her life. She was truly a treasure from Him.
Margaret is survived by her children Marjorie Janz of Sydney, Australia; Eleanor (Sam) Petkau of Chilliwack; Vera (Dwight) Nickel of La Glace; Irene (Henry) Hamm of Grande Prairie; Ben (Ethel) Janz of Vauxhall; Alf (Martha) Janz of Kelowna; eighteen grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, one brother, one sister and many friends.
If friends so desire, memorial tribute’s in Margaret’s name may be made directly to the Gideons International in Canada, Box 3619, 501 Imperial Road North, Guelph, Ontario N1H 7H2.