Delmer "Red" Jantzen

Delmer Duane Jantzen, age 88, of Alexandria passed away in his home on Monday November 13th, 2023 surrounded by the loving care of his family who were with him as he took his last breath.

Delmer was born on October 31st, 1935 at the John Jantzen farm near Urbank, Minnesota to Henry and Elda (Hausmann) Jantzen. As a Halloween gathering was taking place downstairs Delmer was born upstairs, so it is safe to say he came into this world and left it surrounded by people who loved him. Delmer was joined in marriage to Elsie (Beulke) Jantzen on July 29, 1961 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Carlos, MN. The couple was blessed with nine children, twenty grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Delmer grew up on his parents farm located in Parkers Prairie, MN and attended school at District 73 from 1-7 grade, then finished out his last 5 years in the Parkers Prairie school system.

Delmer was a man with a strong work ethic which was evident in the jobs he held and in the years of employment. At first he worked on his parents farm for 2 years post high school then transitioned to working at Pearl Jobbings in Alexandria, MN as a merchandise delivery man, requiring him to travel an area spanning Minnesota, North and South Dakota for eleven and a half years. He then took on a management position for two years at Holiday Gas Station in Alexandria before being hired at 3M, where he proudly worked and provided for his family for forty three years. Finally retiring at the age of 78. In addition to all of his jobs, Delmer owned/operated a small lawn care and snow removal business until the age of 86 when he finally said “That’s enough now.”

More important than his strong work ethic was his faith and his church. Delmer and Elsie brought their children up in the christian faith where in addition to attending church regularly they also had their children attend parochial school at Zion Lutheran. Delmer himself was very active in the church and over the years was on the Board of Lay Ministers and head usher where he became the “go-to” funeral guy because he liked to help and serve others. In addition to service in the church, he was also active in the Mens Club and immensely enjoyed playing in the church dartball league which he helped lead and organize for many years.

Delmer leaves behind his children: Duane (Cindy) Jantzen, Rodney (Jean) Jantzen, Deanna Roderick, Ryan (Dawn) Jantzen, Rachelle (Jamie) Pfeffer, LaNell (Kevin) Hardy, Kendall Jantzen, and Rhonda (Troy) Issendorf. 

Grandchildren: Cody Jantzen, Connor Jantzen; Derek (Kaitlynne) Jantzen, Daniel Jantzen, Emma Jantzen; Christian Roderick, Erika Roderick, Colton Roderick, Dawson Roderick, Gavin Roderick; Aaron (Casey) Stubbs, Ashley Jantzen, Jordan (Isabella) Jantzen; Kendra Hardy, Aubrie Hardy; Zachary (Carly) Jantzen, Breanna Schluter; Shea Issendorf, Kiya Issendorf.

Great grandchildren: Zander Stubbs, Maverick Stubbs, Uriah Stubbs; Braydan Jomar Perez; Hudson Jantzen.

He is survived by siblings, Ardeen Lassanske; Carol (Whitey) Walz, and Roger (Joan) Jantzen; brother-in-law, Ralph Beulke.

Preceded in death by his wife, Elsie (Beulke) Jantzen; infant son, Randall Duane Jantzen; grandson, Logan Pfeffer; great grandchildren Gage Stubbs, and Sage Jantzen; parents, Henry & Elda (Hausmann) Jantzen, Carl and Emma (Roth) Beulke; sister, Janice Ash; brother-in-laws, Alan Lassanske, and Stanley Ash.

Brother-in-laws, Edward Beulke, Elroy Beulke, Orlan Brechbiel, and Rodel Eberle; sisters-in-laws, Gladys Eberle, Ruth Beulke, Marie Brechbiel, and Fran Beulke.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 20, 2023, 11:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Honorary Pallbearers are his grandchildren. Burial is at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Carlos, Minnesota.