My loving wife and our dear mother, Marian Mae Jantz Litwiller was born on November 14, 1934 at Greensburg, Kansas, to Lincoln and Frances (Nichols) Jantz. On December 13, 2023, she peacefully slipped away as she slept, reaching the age of 89 years.

She was baptized on April 20, 1950 by Minister Harvey Yost at Greensburg, Kansas. She was faithful to her vows until the end.

She married our dad, Verle Litwiller, in a double wedding with Richard and Wanda Litwiller on April 18, 1954 at Greensburg, Kansas. They were married by her father, Minister Lincoln Jantz.

Their first home was in Roseburg, Oregon, where Lana was born a year later. After their two years of service were fulfilled, they moved to Michigan where three more daughters and one son were born to them.

In 1970, they purchased a small dairy farm in Barron, where they spent the rest of their married years. In four months, Mom and Dad would’ve celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Mom was a very hospitable person and she delighted in serving others. We remember her for her great love of baking, especially her tea rings and pies. She enjoyed working in her flower gardens and crocheted many afghans through the years. She loved to sew and we remember the many hours she spent sewing for us children and for others. Her hands were always busy. Many people remember her love of books and how much she enjoyed sharing them with others. We got our love of singing from our mother.

Even though she battled dementia in her last years, she was always cheerful and never lost her love for people. Her personality helped her to adapt easily to her caregivers.

Her children were dear to her and her grandchildren were the light of her life.

Left to cherish the many memories are her husband, Verle Litwiller, one son, Brad (Wilma) Litwiller, and three daughters, Becky (Jose`) Solis, Sheila (Roger) Penner, and Gina (David) Goertzen, and one son-in-law, Nathan Holdeman, eleven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, brother, Gary (Darlene) Jantz, sister, Glenda (Mark) Rhodes, brother-in-law, Isaac Unruh, and sister-in-law, Karen Jantz, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Lana, sisters, Jennie Unruh and Deloris Unruh and brother, Marlin Jantz.

A funeral service for Marian will be held on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Barron Mennonite Church in Barron. A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 16, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Barron Mennonite Church and one hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday morning. Burial will be at the Barron Mennonite Cemetery next to the church.

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron.

Last Update: Dec 18, 2023 2:48 pm CST