Irvin Donald Jantzen

Irvin Donald Jantzen was born on September 17, 1937, in Atascadero, California, to Oswald and Sarah Jantzen. When Irvin was four years old, the Jantzen family moved from Shandon, California, to Salt Creek near Dallas, Oregon. His father was a dairy farmer, and Irvin loved working alongside him on the farm. He was raised in a godly home and became a Christian at a young age under his dad’s loving instruction. Irvin attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade and later commuted to Salem Academy for high school. After graduation, he stayed home to farm for another year.

The following year, Irvin attended Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska, where he met his future wife, Kathryn Kroeker. It truly was love at first sight. After one semester, they each moved back home, and Irvin worked in the Dallas area before relocating to Reedley, California, to be closer to Kathryn. There, he worked at Reedley College doing yard and maintenance work and was even voted “Big Man on Campus” by the school newspaper. He also worked moving houses for Herman Thiesen.

On July 25, 1957, Irvin married his beloved Kathryn at the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church. This past July, they celebrated their sixty-eighth wedding anniversary. Their first child, Donald, was born in June 1958, and their daughter, Susan, followed in July 1963. Irvin dearly loved his family and found great joy in the many happy times they shared together.

Irvin was good with numbers and pursued accounting at Central California Commercial College, earning an Advanced Accounting and Business Certificate in 1961. He was a straight-A student. Soon after, Irvin was hired by the State of California Employment Development Department as an employment tax auditor. In that role, Irvin not only reviewed business tax records but also helped implement new systems, trained new auditors, and with his characteristic kindness, taught business owners how to stay in compliance with tax law.

After an early retirement from the State of California, Irvin became the business administrator for the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church. He enjoyed working just three blocks from home, partnering with the church staff, and being a vital part of his church community.

Over the years, Irvin volunteered in many organizations, including the West Coast Mennonite Relief Sale, the Mennonite Brethren Pacific District Conference, the Nearly New Shop, Chapter One School, and Immanuel High School. In all things, Irvin was a teacher, who was humble, patient, and generous with his time and talents.

After retiring from working at the church, Irvin and Kathryn enjoyed traveling in their fifth wheel, attending Bible conferences, and marveling at God’s beautiful creation. Through the years, Irvin loved singing in the choir and men’s chorus, doing puzzles, fixing things, playing (and usually winning) games, creating meticulous cross-stitch pieces, and golfing, even once at Pebble Beach with his brother-in-law, Larry.

Irvin and Kathryn also loved cheering on their grandchildren and great-grandchildren at countless sporting events, concerts, recitals, and debate tournaments. Family meant everything to Irvin, and his loved ones have been deeply shaped by his steady guidance and Christlike example.

In 2021, Irvin and Kathryn moved to Palm Village, where they cherished the community they built there. On October 28, 2025, Irvin peacefully went home to be with the Lord. He will be profoundly missed by all who knew him. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Irvin was preceded in death by his parents, Oswald and Sarah Jantzen, and by his son, Donald Jantzen. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn Jantzen; his daughter, Susan (Robert) Matt; his daughter-in-law, Suzanne Johnson; three grandchildren, Timothy (Jennifer) Jantzen, Jonathan (Alexis) Matt, and Emily Matt; two great-grandchildren, Mason Jantzen and Emma Jantzen; one brother, Elmer (Sandy) Jantzen; and two sisters, Wilma (George) Cunningham and Gwen Boatright.

A memorial service to celebrate Irvin’s life will be held in the Palm Village Chapel on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with a light reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to contribute to the Palm Village Living Legacy Fund in memory of Irvin Jantzen.