Robert W. Jantsch

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, April 5, at 12 Noon at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th, Leawood, KS with burial at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church Cemetery in Wea, KS. Visitation will be held at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO, Wednesday, April 4, from 5-7 p.m.

Dad was a very great man. He was born October 19, 1927 in Kansas City, MO. His parents were Harry August Jantsch and Marion Turpin. He attended Northeast High School and the University of Kansas. He joined the Army, served in Korea and was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor….a decorated war veteran.

Bob married Helen Clare DeSonier on July 17, 1949 and together they raised 10 children (2 daughters and 8 sons). Later came 27 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren to date.

Growing up on the farm, Dad taught us to love the outdoors by singing songs around the campfire under the trees, camping at Pomona Lake and by leading long, wandering summer hikes. The old canvas Army tent saw much more duty pitched by young boys. He always carried a pocket knife. Dad would stop to explain about “field expedience” because you could always find some common object right around you to use to save the day.

Dad supported his children. He once drove from Abilene to Kansas City to catch his sons in a high school track meet and then drove all the way back to work the same night.

There was always a list of chores on the refrigerator door to teach responsibility and we worked them out together.

Summer Saturday was the boy’s haircut day, taking turns, sitting on the kitchen stool.

There was the “nuts and bolts” bowl down on the workbench and every imaginable thing was in that bowl and any childhood project could be completed with that bowl of screws, nuts and nails.

Dad gave speeches. He would remind us to treasure family, well-made traditions and to keep it going always. He was in his glory at family celebrations with noise and laughter. He left this life on Easter Sunday once the joyful noise of kids and grands and great grands faded outside his room.

He was known for hospitality to friends and help to strangers and offered that, “ there was always room for one more”. He lived by the mantra: Act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God.

Dad was a kid on the Fourth of July. He was the first to bring home too many fireworks and put on a loud and sparkly show all day long.

He had a theatrical streak. He won oratory contests in school, had the lead role in community plays and performed many years with the Senior Barn Players.

Our Mom passed after 54 years of marriage. Dad met Linda Wiesing Racunas and remarried in 2004. Her three children and family became a special part of his later life.

He suffered from Parkinson’s Disease and it took much of his strength and function but none of his courage and gentlemanly nature. Dad spent his last three years at Sunrise of Leawood with companions and friends around the dining room table, watching ballgames and living his life with Linda and family.

Dad has a legacy of surviving family: Deborah Ann, Kansas City, MO; Stephen (Terese), Denver, CO; Michael (Beth), Kansas City, MO; Catherine (Tony) Butel, Scranton, PA; Timothy (Erin), Chicago, IL; Thomas (Kathy), Mission Hills, KS; John (Carol), Kansas City, MO; James Robert, Overland Park, KS; Paul (Beth), Cincinnati, OH; David (Susanne), Prairie Village, KS; and 27 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Linda’s children: Mark A. Racunas (Donna), Hermosa Beach, CA; John D. Racunas (Andi) Newport Beach, CA; Nancy Racunas Saugstad (Lee), Overland Park, KS; and 5 step grandchildren.

Memorials can be sent to Rockhurst High School, Bob and Helen Jantsch Scholarship Fund or The Senior Barn Players. Please share a memory at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com.