Vi Janzen Obituary (1942 - 2024)

Vi Janzen, age 82, passed away on October 31, 2024. She was born April 13, 1942, in Arthur, IL to Albert S. Kauffman and Anna J. (Yoder) Kauffman. Vi attended school in Atwood, IL, until her graduation in 1960, participating in many activities, including band, FHA, chorus, newspaper, yearbook, class play, and drama. She then attended Hesston College in Hesston, KS, finishing her nursing degree at Kansas City Medical Center in Kansas City, MO in 1963. It was during her time at Hesston College that she met and fell in love with Jim Hamilton. They continued their courtship long-distance while she was in Kansas City, finally marrying on October 4, 1963, in Arthur, IL. Together they lived in Ephrata, PA, Elkhart, KS, Alamosa, CO, Hesston, KS, and finally settled back in Elkhart where they managed the Hamilton family farm and raised their two children, Jimmy and Sherri. Following Jim’s death in 1980, Vi married Vern Janzen in 1984 and welcomed daughters Vienna (Janzen) Lee and Patsy (Janzen) Kemp into her heart and family. Family meant everything to Vi, and she quietly cared for, prayed over, and supported them. Compassionate caretaker, humble servant, loving, kind, and steady describe Vi’s character. She was a nurse by vocation, and she was perfectly suited for the job. Over the years she worked in various hospitals, doctors’ offices, private care, and most predominantly in geriatric care at Morton County Care Center, where she served as a nurse and then as Director of Nurses for many, many years. Within the walls of the Care Center, Vi cared for the residents as if they were her own family and cultivated some of her most treasured friendships with coworkers. She put her heart and soul into her work and her impact was far-reaching. To know Vi was to feel loved and cared for. This came in many forms, including her giving of her time and her service, and if you were very fortunate, some of her delicious home cooking. Many were inspired by her steadfast, determined spirit which allowed her to persevere through difficult times because of her unshakeable faith in Christ. She rarely slowed down and never gave up, no matter the circumstances. At the core of Vi’s life was her faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Raised in a Christian home, Vi incorporated her love for the Lord into all she did. While married to Jim, they worked diligently to provide Bibles to people in Africa who did not have access to the written Word of God. Jim and Vi also taught Sunday School classes, led church youth groups, and hosted Bible studies in their home. Vi continued to be involved in many types of ministries, including preparing weekly meals for children and staff for the Wednesday Night Kids program at First Church of God, serving on various church committees, and overseeing the distribution of supplies to those in need at Hands for Hope. She also participated in various community clubs and organizations, including PEO. Vi was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim Hamilton; husband, Vern Janzen; son, Jim Hamilton. She is survived by her daughters, Sherri (Hamilton) Hurn and husband, Travis, of The Villages, FL, Vienna Lee and husband, Jake, of Elkhart, KS and Patsy Kemp, of Lawrence, KS; daughter-in-law, Tina Hamilton, of Aurora, CO; grandchildren, Emme Hurn, of Lynchburg, VA, Jayre Zimmerman and husband, Shane, of Garden City, KS, Jess Lee and wife, Jaclyn, of Elkhart, KS; great-grandson, Cap Lee; sister, Karen Pankov and husband, Pete, of Osage Beach, MO and brother, Willard Kauffman and wife, Jean, of Atwood, IL. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles as well as a host of dear friends. A memorial service will be held at the First Church of God, Elkhart, KS on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 10:30 am. Memorial contributions may be given to Bibles for the World in care of Garland Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950.