Montezuma - Our loving mother and grandmother, Julia Fern (Koehn) Jantz was born to Raymond and Alice (Jantz) Koehn on April 28, 1934 in Walsh, Colorado. The Angels came and quietly took her home at midday on December 1, 2020 after a brief illness due to complications from pneumonia. She reached the age of 86 years.

Mom spent her early childhood days at Fredonia before moving with her family to Montezuma, where she spent her growing up years. As she reached her teen years, she worked as house help for several different families, living with them and coming home for the weekends. She felt the call of God and repented of her sins and gave her heart to the Lord. She was baptized on May 8, 1947 by Minister Jesse Johnson. She remained true and faithful to her vows until the end.

On October 8, 1967, she was joined in marriage to our father, Vernon Jantz. To this union were born two sons and one daughter. They shared the joys and sorrows of life for 43 short years when Dad was taken home just one week more than 10 years ago, leaving mom very lonely.
From childhood on, mom learned what hard work was and how to make ends meet. She was an avid gardener doing much canning and freezing while raising her family. She also taught us children how to work helping her take care of the garden and whatever else needed to be done. We remember her often humming or whistling as she was going about her work. In her later years, mom worked as a CNA and in housekeeping in Bethel Home. She also baked pies for the Copeland Cafe for a number of years.

In the last six months, it was apparent that God was preparing mom to cross the Jordan River. She spoke of not being able to sleep one night and how she prayed that God would forgive her of anything that stood in her way of Heaven. After that prayer, she could sleep. We are comforted that she is safe in the arms of Jesus and look forward to meeting her again.

Left to cherish precious memories are her children, Jeff Jantz and wife Sharee of Montezuma, Jerry Jantz and wife Debbie of Montezuma, and Karla Mazelin and husband Paul of Monterey, Tennessee; two brothers, Lawrence Koehn and wife Verna of Montezuma and Earl Koehn and wife Geraldine of Montezuma; one sister, Valetha Koehn and husband Orvin of Burns; three sisters-in-law, Marlene Koehn of Montezuma, Lila Koehn of Montezuma, and Margie Jantz of Newton; 14 grandchildren; and family friend, Lena Koehn of Newton. She is preceded in death by her husband, one grandson, her parents, two brothers, and one sister.

Funeral service will be held at Homeland Mennonite Church, Montezuma on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 10:30 AM with Ministers Donnie Koehn and Luther Smith presiding. Burial will follow at Homeland Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Friday, December 4, 2020 from noon to 8:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.