Menno Isaac Janzen

Menno was born on October 5, 1948, in Morden, Manitoba, the youngest of eleven children. Raised on a family farm, farming was more than a livelihood for Menno, it was part of who he was. From an early age, he worked alongside his family and left school in his early teens to help on the farm. His strong work ethic was evident throughout his life, as he was often the first one out the door in the morning and the last to return home after a long day in the fields. A friend, Harold Nickel, introduced Menno to Linda Reimer. After over a year of courtship, they were married in the summer of 1974 and began building a life together. They first made their home across the street from Menno’s parents while he continued farming with his family. In the fall of 1975, Menno and Linda welcomed their first daughter, Cathy. The family grew when they moved to the farmhouse in 1976 on the land Menno farmed with his brothers, Ben and Leonard. Their second daughter, Ange, was born in 1978, and in 1980 they welcomed their third daughter, Lisa, completing their family. Menno was deeply committed to his faith and was baptized in 1986 at Killarney Bay Avenue Mennonite Church. In 1988, he stepped away from farming and moved his family into the town of Killarney, where he worked on the municipal garbage truck. Seeking a new opportunity, Menno and Linda moved their family to Conrich, Alberta, in the spring of 1989, where he worked on an egg farm for several years. A few years later, the family settled in Calgary. Menno worked diligently throughout the years and served as caretaker for Crossroads Community Church. Although his career path changed, his love for farming never faded. He later worked for farmer Ken Brown, tending crops and cattle, a role that brought him great satisfaction. After many years in agriculture, Menno eventually transitioned to warehouse work in Calgary, where he remained until his retirement. In the spring of 2016, Menno and Linda moved to Red Deer to enjoy a slower pace of life and, most importantly, to be closer to their beloved grandchildren. Family meant everything to Menno. He will be remembered for his quiet strength, warm bear hugs, generous spirit, and the scotch mints he always carried in his pockets, ready to share with anyone who asked.

Menno is lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of 52 years, Linda Janzen (Reimer); his daughters and sons-in-law, Cathy and Rob Metzinger, Ange and Curtis Unrau, and Lisa and Clint Regnier; and his treasured grandchildren, Dominik and Emma Metzinger, Jett, Luke, and Easton Unrau. He is also survived by his sister, Anne (Vic) Sawatzky; his brother, Leonard Janzen; sisters-in-law, Mary Janzen (Ben), Mary Janzen (John), and Mary Janzen (Pete); brothers-in-law, John Friesen (Mari) and John Epp (Lena); as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. Menno was predeceased by his parents, John and Elizabeth (Hoeppner) Janzen; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Katherine (Tina) and John Giesbrecht, Elizabeth and George Froese, his sisters Mari Friesen, and Lena Epp; his brothers, John, Pete, Ben, and Henry Janzen and his sister-in-law, Della Janzen.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Eventide Funeral Home, 4820 45 Street, Red Deer, Alberta.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Canadian Lung Association in memory of Menno.

Though he has left this earthly life, Menno’s legacy of hard work, faith, generosity, and love for family will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him.