Kenneth Dale Jantz

Kenneth Dale Jantz was born August 4, 1937, to Elmer and Agnes (Unruh) Jantz at their family farm in Fowler, KS. While attending a Bible School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Kenneth met Barbara Lou Curry. Kenneth recalls, "it was love at first sight". They were united in marriage on August 11, 1957, in Lewellen, Nebraska. They welcomed two daughters into this union, Debra Annette and Pamela Dawn. While the family lived in Salt Lake City, UT Kenneth began his career with Firestone Tire.
Kenneth's job with the Firestone Company eventually moved the family to Orange County, California. During his career, Kenneth managed five Firestone stores, earning the recognition of being the #1 manager, sending him & Barbara on a trip to Hawaii for his accomplishment. After 19 years, Kenneth retired from the Firestone Company.
Following his retirement, Kenneth continued working small jobs until he found a position as a Chauffeur with a limousine company, which he greatly loved. Kenneth shared stories of driving for many celebrities in Southern California. One of his favorite perks of the job was driving his family around in the limos! Kenneth spent around 10 years Chauffeuring with the last few years as a private Chauffeur for a CEO of a major corporation.
Kenneth loved to garden. His wife, Barbara loved roses so much that he planted a rose garden for her at their home in Buena Park, California. The garden contained 25 different types of rose bushes. Kenneth loved to sing in the choir at Anaheim Nazarene Church. He also loved to sing for his family. His daughter, Debra, recalls him singing with her Aunt Shirley at Barbara's parent's 50th wedding anniversary. Kenneth loved his time feeding the ducks with grandkids at the Yorba Regional Park and go on trips with them in his Motor Home. He loved to rent a boat and go deep-sea fishing. He also loved to travel which he was able to do often throughout his career.
Kenneth and Barbara moved to Jefferson, Iowa in May 2016. Kenneth enjoyed time with family, playing games with his great-grandchildren, and enjoying meals at Peony Chinese Restaurant. Around Christmas, Kenneth grew out his beard and hair and loved to dress up as Santa Clause for his grandkids and family friends.
Kenneth went to his heavenly home on October 3, 2021. He is preceded in death by parents: Elmer and Agnes Jantz; wife: Barbara (Curry) Jantz; brothers: Eugene Jantz and Orlando Jantz. He is survived by his sisters: Virginia (Paul) Luthi of Meade, Kansas, and Frances Wade of Denver, Colorado; sisters-in-law: Eula (Eugene) Jantz of Windsor, Colorado and Naomi (Orlando) Jantz of Minneola, Kansas; daughters: Debra (Alan Shriver) Bridgewater of Jefferson, Iowa and Pamela Hales of Lake Elsinore, California; grandchildren: Ryan Sebourn of Jefferson, Iowa, Sean (Miranda) Sebourn of Jefferson, Iowa, Dustin Bridgewater (Justice Gessert) of Johnston, Iowa, Jared (Jamie) Hales, Luke (Noelle) Hales, Micah (Sarah) Hales all of California, and Abigail Hales of Arizona; 8 great-grandchildren; Nieces, Nephews, other relatives; and friends.
A graveside service will be 3:00 pm Sunday, October 10, 2021, at Mineral Ridge Cemetery, Ridgeport, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a memorial gift to the family of Kenneth Jantz to Slininger Schroeder Funeral Home, 119 West Lincoln Way, Jefferson, Iowa 50129.