Walter Janzen

Walter Lester Janzen, the son of Cornelius and Marie (Haseman) Janzen was born on December 1, 1909, at Butterfield, MN. He received his education at Darfur Public School. Walter was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Darfur where he remained a life long member. On October 3, 1937, Walter was united in marriage to Helen Albertina Henze at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. They made their home and raised their family on the Janzen family farm. In 1983, they moved into Darfur where they lived until moving to Mankato, MN in 2004, and Walter moved to the Good Samaritan Village in Mountain Lake in 2006. Walter loved farming and watching things grow. As a softball player he was a pitcher, and he enjoyed watching baseball. He loved his retirement years, wintering in Arizona for 25 years, traveling, playing cards, dancing, and playing shuffleboard and pool. He was on the Butterfield Public School Board for several years, and was active in his church. Walter died on Thursday, February 15, 2007 at the Good Samaritan Village in Mountain Lake. He is survived by 2 daughters, Arlene and husband Gerald Hodapp of Mankato, MN, and Sylvia and husband Scott Norman of Mankato; 5 sons, Lawrence and wife Karen Janzen of Butterfield, MN, James and wife Peggy Janzen of Delano, MN, Eldon and wife JoAnn Janzen of Butterfield, Daniel and wife Janie Janzen of Champlin, MN, and Carl and wife Shari Janzen of Delano; 25 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen Janzen onDecember 11, 2005; a daughter, Elaine Thorkelson; a granddaughter in infancy; a great grandson, Jonathan Michael Welgraven; a daughter-in-law, Linda Janzen; 3 brothers, Arthur, Marvin and Oliver Janzen; and 4 sisters, Laura Uhlhorn, Eleanor Firchau, Erna Ahern and Esther Anderson.