Vernon Janzen

Vernon Janzen, age 77, of Elkhart, Kansas died September 25, 2014 at Morton County Hospital in Elkhart, Kansas. He was born December 19, 1936 in Peabody, Kansas the son of Gustav R. and Emma (Voth) Janzen.

Vern grew up in Hillsboro, Kansas. He moved to Newton during high school and graduated from Newton High School in 1954. He served in the United States Air Force from 1955 – 1958. He worked as an insurance representative for USF&G, traveling all over Kansas including Elkhart. Vern moved to Elkhart in 1969 and partnered with Burt Elder and started Janzen-Elder Insurance Agency. Vern married Vi Hamilton on June 9, 1984. He was a member of the Lions Club, United Methodist Church, Kansas Calvary, Chairman of the local Republican Party, and served on the High Plains Health Foundation Board, Area Mental Health Board for 20 years, and the Morton County Hospital Board.

Survivors include his wife, Vi Janzen of their home; children, Vienna Lee and husband Galen of Elkhart, Kansas, Patsy Kemp of Lawrence, Kansas, Jim Hamilton and wife Tina of Aurora, Colorado, Sherri Hurn and husband Travis of Yuba City, California; sisters, Eunice Matz and husband Ray of Hillsboro, Kansas, Janice Plenert and husband Abe of Dillon, Montana; three grandchildren, Jayre Zimmerman, Jess Lee, Emme Hurn; and great-grandchild, Cap Lee.

Vern is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Adeline Banman; and brother, Calvin Janzen.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at United Methodist Church in Elkhart, Kansas with Reverend Dennis Reimer and Reverend Gary Murrell officiating. Interment will follow at Elkhart Cemetery in Elkhart. Friends may call from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Friday, September 26, 2014 at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart. Memorial contributions may be given to United Methodist Church Building Fund or High Plains Health Foundation in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950.