Marjorie Jantz Owens

Marjorie Nell Colaw Jantz Owens, 91, of Olathe, went to her heavenly home on July 18, 2019 at the Health Care Resort of Olathe. She was born on September 30, 1927 to Charles Benjamin & Emma Sarilda (Powell) Colaw in Chanute, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her older brothers, Charles Benjamin Colaw, Jr. and Emerson Stephen Colaw.

Marjorie married Calvin Cephas Jantz on May 5, 1943 in Fredonia, Kansas where they resided until Calvin was inducted into the Army, June of 1944. Marjorie followed Calvin to Camp Blanding in Florida so she could be near him. Upon his deployment she returned to Fredonia, Ks. On December 19, 1944 he was wounded during the Battle of The Bulge in Germany. Upon his return to the United States, they lived at Camp Carson in Colorado Springs during his time of numerous surgeries. Upon being discharged from the Army in 1945, they returned to Fredonia where Calvin worked in a printing shop and Marjorie worked as a bank teller and assisted a CPA in the preparation of tax returns.

During this time, their only child, Carolyn Sarilda Jantz Pickering was born in January of 1947. They enjoyed those days of post war in Fredonia. During that time they sensed a call to become full time Song Evangelists in the Church of the Nazarene. In 1951, they sold everything and entered a new life taking Carolyn with them, but she would return to live with her Grandparents in Independence, Ks and then Ottawa, Ks during the school year. Beginning with Carolyn's 3rd Grade school year, they decided to add her to their program and home school her. They later purchased an Airstream trailer where they could be more of a family unit.

Marjorie and Calvin continued that ministry and added the preaching of the Word in their services. They would alternate nights of preaching. Marjorie became a powerhouse of preaching and leading the way for other women to minister in the pulpit.

In 1983, it was discovered that Calvin had an inoperable non malignant brain tumor that had become so invasive that it could not be removed. That ended their Evangelistic Revivals as they had been. Marjorie began selling real estate for Century Joel Pickering to supplement her income.

Calvin passed away in November of 1988. In June of 1989 she attended the Church of the Nazarene's Quadrennial Convention in Indianapolis where she saw Verdean Owens. They had held revivals for Verdean and his wife Janice. There she discovered Janice had also passed away that past November. Their life histories matched up like a "pair of gloves" and they were married, September 9,1989. Marjorie assumed the roll as pastor's wife in Kokomo, Indiana. Upon retirement in 1994, they moved back to Olathe where she had maintained her home in Holly Green. Both of them took on a new roll of representing the Nazarene Publishing House in District Assemblies and Conventions for 5 years. They enjoyed this time of new ministry.

Also during this time, they added a new ministry of organizing "senior citizen retreats" for the International Church of the Nazarene which were initially called NIROGA, later becoming Prime Time events. During this time she also took on the ARMM organization of the Kansas City District and helped with all kinds of activities for retired ministers and missionaries, from trips to Branson to tickets to the Royals games. She led 7 trips to the Holy Land/Europe and 44 senior citizen events in Branson.

Marjorie is survived by her daughter Carolyn (Joel) Pickering of Olathe and their children, Kelly (Sundee) Pickering, Kelsey Pickering, and Quincy (Ashley)Pickering. Verdean's sons were also an integral part of her life, Rev. Dennis (Jody)Owens of Canton, Illinois and Steve (Janie) Owens of Rabun Gap, Georgia. There are 9 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

Marjorie loved to play the piano and played for church services at nursing homes up to a week before her death. Her motto was, "The Bible says to work til Jesus comes and He hasn't come yet, so get busy!"

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