Richard E Janzen

Richard E. Janzen 94 died August 23, 2023, at Schowalter Villa in Hesston. He was a retired bank loan officer. He was born on February 25, 1929, to Herman S. and Linda (Peters) Janzen. Richard grew up on the family farm near Newton and attended a one-room grade school. He graduated from Walton High School in 1947 and later attended Bethel College. He graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado University. Richard served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 in Korea and Guam, earning the rank of Corporal. On release from the Army, he was married to Charlene Myers in Newton on September 16, 1956, and she preceded him death December 15, 2011, after 55 years of marriage. 

Richard was employed at the Claassen Investment & Loan Company in Newton from 1955 to 1963. He was employed by the Hesston State Bank as a teller-bookkeeper and retired Vice-President in the loan department in 1994. He had part ownership in Janzen-Ruth-Typer, Inc., in Hesston for several years. During his bank employment, the family lived in Hesston where he served a term as treasurer of USD 460 and three terms on the City Commission. He was a charter member of the Hesston Chamber of Commerce.   Upon retirement from the Bank, he and Charlene moved to Newton. In retirement Richard continued serving the communities he knew and loved as a part time employee of Petersen Funeral Home. After Charlene’s death Richard moved back to Hesston where he was an active member of the Schowalter Villa Community

Richard was a member of American Legion Post #2 and a Life member of VFW Post 971 where he served as Chaplain. He was a member of the Newton Bible Church in Newton.

Richard is survived by his son David (Lynett) Janzen of Hesston; daughter Sharon (Dale) Plummer; and his five grandchildren: Travis, Clint and Chad Janzen and Thomas and Kensey Plummer. He also is survived by Eight great grandchildren Grace, Evan, Owen, Abbie, Levi, Benjamin, Ava and Clementine Janzen

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Elden Janzen and sister Anna Marie Heibert

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday August 28, 2023, at Newton Bible Church in Newton with Pastor Matt Kruse presiding. The visitation will be 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday with the family receiving friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Petersen Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Hesston City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Newton Bible Church and left in care of Petersen Funeral Home.