TAMA-Harold Leonard Jantzen, age 81, of Tama, died on Monday, July 16, 2007 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids due to a short illness. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 10:30 AM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with Pastor Carol Myers officiating. Interment will follow at Sheridan Cemetery in rural Grinnell. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 18, 2007 from 6-8 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.
Harold Leonard Jantzen was born on October 19, 1925, in Poweshiek County, the son of Leonard and Alma (Sieck) Jantzen. He was reared in Poweshiek County and attended country school, completing eighth grade. He then helped at home with the farming.
On September 14, 1945, he marred Betty Emmert in Grinnell, Iowa. Two sons were born, Jerry and Allen. They farmed in Poweshiek County, except for six years in Tama County, until his retirement in 1991. He then helped several farmers. Due to poor health, they moved to Tama in 2004.
He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and was president in 1967. He was a social member of the Malcom American Legion. Harold enjoyed working puzzle books and going to dances, belonging to the Cedar Valley Polka Club for a number of years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Allen in 1983; one sister, Betty Jantzen; and one brother, Lyle Jantzen.
Survivors include his wife Betty of Tama; one son, Jerry (Karlene) Jantzen of Malcom; one granddaughter, Andrea (Paul) Krueger of Riverside; one great-granddaughter Isabelle; one brother, Donald Jantzen of Traer; one sister-in-law, Cindy Jantzen of Toledo; one aunt, Ellen Jantzen of Grinnell; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial fund has been established.