Leon M. Janzen (1927-2019)

Leon M. Janzen, 91, passed away Friday, Feb. 8, 2019 in Ellsworth. He was born Nov. 10, 1927 in Ellsworth County to Wilbert and Edna (Schmidt) Janzen.
Leon was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County where he was a farmer and stockman. He raised registered Polled Hereford cattle and had a passion for music and history. He played in traveling polka bands and documented many petroglyphs in the Ellsworth County area. He was a member of the Ellsworth County Historical Society and was a strong advocate for the preservation of history. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Lorraine.
Leon married Mildred Anna Schindler on May 2, 1953 in Lorraine. She survives him.
He is also survived by daughter, Karen Van Allen (JV) of Midland, Texas; son, Kenton Janzen (Angie) of Lorraine; daughter, Susan Nickerson (Mitch) of Grand Island, Neb.; son, Galen Janzen of Lorraine; grandchildren, Annie Filer (Matt), Katie Van Allen, Christie Strope (Kyle), Elizabeth Youngers (Jerome), Carlie Bittel, and Ryan Bittel; and great-grandchildren, Audrey Strope and Claire Filer.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Shirley Glasgow.
Visitation is from 1-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m.
The funeral service is at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, at First Baptist Church, Lorraine with burial following in Lorraine Baptist Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church or the Ellsworth Co. Historical Society, in care of Parsons Funeral Home, Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439.
Condolences may be left at parsonsfh.com