After a life of love and quiet grace, Kenneth Jans, 70, has passed.
A life remembered begins, simply, with the telling.
Kenneth entered this world in 1947 — the start of a journey that would span 70 years.
Kenneth held deeply to the Methodist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Those who live by belief leave a different kind of mark.
Kennith Wayne Jans was born on May 14, 1947 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was one of three children born from the union of the late Edward and Adeline (Wibben) Jans. Kennith graduated with the Class of 1965 from Parker High School in South Dakota, and then continued his education studying microbiology at the University of Nebraska. On June 4, 1967, Kennith married the love of his life, Penny Richardson at the Parker Methodist Church in South Dakota. For more than forty years, Kennith provided for the needs of his family as a self-employed farmer in Beaver Crossing, Nebraska. Following retirement from farming, he spent six years employed at the Seward County Road Department in Nebraska retiring in 2013. Kennith, loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, receiving his spiritual nourishment while attending Abundant Life Church in Sarasota, Florida. He enjoyed international travel with his cousin, Dennis Christensen and wife, Purley, visiting Belgium, France, England, and Italy. He also loved using his basic "fix it" skills visiting Haiti twice on mission trips to build homes for the locals as well as contributing to the construction of the new Impact Children's facility at Abundant Life Church in Sarasota, FL. Kennith was an avid outdoorsman. He treasured annual hunting trips with his friends John Goertzen and Tim Burkey, fishing in Michigan and Nebraska, bike riding, and RV camping with his grandchildren. When Kennith moved to Florida, he continued to maintain the "farmer" in him by planting a number of fruit trees in the big back yard. He was the type of man that always kept busy. He loved to nurture relationships and converse with others. He was patient, kind, caring, and tried to find the joy in everything, laughing often. Kennith was truly a joy to be around. Kennith Wayne Jans, age 70, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away unexpectedly at his Newport, Michigan summer cottage on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 7:27am. In addition to his parents, his passing was preceded by a brother: Darrel Jans and an infant sister. To cherish his memory, he leaves a beloved wife of fifty years: Penny Jans, a son: Brian (Lori) Jans of Tipp City, Ohio; a daughter: Chanelle (Robert) Blucker of Nappanee, Indiana; and five grandchildren: Erin Jans, Benjamin Jans, Nathaniel Blucker, Kelsi Blucker, and Karli Blucker. Friends are invited to celebrate his life in Milford, Nebraska, on Sunday, July 9, 4:00 at Bellwood Mennonite Church, or in Monroe, South Dakota, on Monday, July 10, 4:00 at Calvary Reformed Church. Burial will be at Rosehill Cemetery, Parker, South Dakota. Memorials are suggested to Christian Fellowship Mission P.O. Box 50035, Sarasota, FL 34232 or the charity of the donor's choice, or mail to: Penny Jans, c/o Chanelle Blucker, 12853 N 600 W, Nappanee, IN 46550
