Dr. Gerhard (George) Janzen

Dr. Gerhard (George) Janzen

April 3, 1929 – April 20, 2023

Our Dad, George Janzen, passed away peacefully in Saskatoon City Hospital on April 20, 2023 at 94 years of age.

Gerhard (George) Heinrich Janzen was born April 3, 1929, the ninth of ten children, in the tiny town of Chinook, Alberta to Maria (née Franz) and Heinrich Janzen.  Life was hard for these new Canadians, having only arrived a few years earlier after fleeing the Russian Revolution in south Russia to begin homesteading on the harsh and unforgiving Alberta prairie. The family moved after a few years to Rosemary, Alberta to establish a more permanent farm.  Dad’s father was trained as a pastor and teacher, and had to adapt to life as a farmer in order to provide for his family, even though this was not his skill set.  Hunger and poverty were never far from the family’s doorstep. Dad’s sense of discipline and hard work were ingrained early in life as there were never enough hands to complete all the needed tasks, including gardening, dealing with horses, pigs, chickens and cattle, delivering and collecting produce, milk, eggs, and meat to and from the local markets. Responsibilities for chores were given to each child based on their age and strength. No one was exempt from the hard work.

Dad’s love of learning and creativity grew during this time. The repetitive chores gave him many hours to think, reflect and dream, resulting in numerous inventions such as a motorized go-cart, an “electric” bicycle, a farm tennis court and all manner of other contraptions he could build with what scrounged materials were available in the 1930’s. This driven desire to learn was a lifelong pursuit which may have even been strengthened during his months of paralysis from polio. Dad’s life was always characterized  by the need to squeeze more into his day than the hours available permitted.

Dad completed the U of Alberta College of Dentistry program in 1953, thanks to financial assistance from his siblings and extended family. Prince Albert became Dad’s dental destination. After a lunch at the Princess Café and a short conversation with Dr. Cariss, Dad took over the dental practice where he worked as a solo practitioner until his son Jerry joined him in 1985.

Dad’s retirement in 1995 was planned to be an opportunity to master the Spanish language, increase his competency with the computer, and spend more time with family and friends. These goals led to wonderful medical/dental missions trips sharing his love of people and dentistry skills in Honduras, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, El Salvador, Israel and Canada’s far North.  Both Dad and Mom loved these times working hard, making new friends from the world over all the while delivering health care services.   

George, it must be emphasized, loved having fun. Taking all 6 members of the family skiing locally or far away on a moment’s notice, skating, eating at the local burger joint, hiking on mountain paths, or crossing the country in the travel trailer were just a taste of the adventures he provided to all of us. An engineer at heart, he loved imagining and then creating craft projects for his grandchildren to enjoy on the rainy days at the lake. Whomever has visited the cabin at Christopher Lake that was so close to his heart, will be familiar with the infamous “SS George”, the putt-putt raft he built and would sail around the lake, sitting as the Captain on his lawn chair, all the while coaxing the kids in and out of the water, swimming and diving the afternoons away.   His easy, heartfelt laughs remain in our memory.

Growing up culturally as a Mennonite, Dad’s faith in Jesus Christ was the center of everything he did. It was this faith that drove him to give all he had to life in return for what was given in Christ. Whether it was his local church, dental organizations locally and provincially, his community and neighbours or his children’s friends, he was driven to show them Christ through his energy and unbridled curiosity in most any area they were willing to talk to him about. Dad was always so curious and understanding of other faiths and cultures. He loved to converse and share with Jewish friends and Hindu neighbors, listening, asking questions always open to mind expansion and growth.  He had the gift of being able to chat amicably with just about anyone he ran into.  Every “kid” on the block knew where to go to get everything fixed that was broken. The garage door was always open on Saturdays as soon as the snow disappeared and the outside projects started.  

Dad’s last years of life were filled with caring for Mom, learning how to cook, bake and clean as well as enjoy time reading and fellowship at the Alliance Church. Unfortunately, dementia struck Dad hard in his last 4 years of life, which added confusion and limitations he had never known before. Through it all he remained kind and caring and with a faith that had started as a young boy ….God was still God and was waiting to welcome him to his heavenly home. We all believe that he heard God speak the words “Well done, good and faithful servant” upon entry.

Mourning his passing are daughter Eunice Janzen; son Jerry (Carol) Janzen, Thomas, Matthew and Mark; daughter Jeannette (Francois) Richard and Geneviève (Jesse) Whitehead, Oona and Nellie, and Isabelle Richard; son Joel (Susan) Janzen, Donnée and Jaaron; Sister-in-law Elsie Janzen and many nephews, nieces and relatives. Special thanks to those nurses and caregivers who looked after Dad in his last years with a very special acknowledgement to Janah for her abundant love and respect given to Dad.

All are invited to a Memorial Service in Dad’s honour at on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 09:30 AM at the Prince Albert Alliance Church , 2777 6 Ave W, Prince Albert. Dad’s final remains will be laid to rest next to Mom at the Anglican Church Cemetery at Christopher Lake.

Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.