Maurice DeWayne Jantze

Maurice DeWayne Jantze was born July 5, 1936, in Milford, Nebraska to Lee and Lola (Eicher) Jantze, and passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at the Ridgewood Rehabilitation Center in Seward, Nebraska at the age of 87. 

Maurice grew up and was raised in Milford, later graduating from Milford High School with the class of 1954. Shortly after high school, Maurice married Alberta DeWitt on May 8, 1954. To this union four children were born: Vickie, Christy, Maurice, and Martin.

Following his high school graduation, Maurice worked as a meat cutter at Schelgels Grocery Store for 12 years. Maurice and Alberta bought Crete Meat Processors in December 1965, and owned it until June 1977. After selling Crete Meat Processors, Maurice built and owned the Milford Super Market for 38 years.

Maurice was a member of the Nebraska Processors Association from 1968-1977, the Nebraska Independent Grocers Association 1980-2021, where he served on the board in many capacities over the years, and he was a charter member of Beth-El and served on the church board, an Elder, and he was very active in his church. Maurice read and studied the Bible faithfully.

In his spare time, Maurice loved raising livestock and riding his horses. He also had a horse drawn cart that he enjoyed giving the grandkids rides in. Maurice also liked gardening and flowers.

Survivors include his daughters Vickie (Myron) Reiss, Council Bluffs, IA; Christy (Arlin) Scherbarth, Gordon, NE; sons, Maurice “Butch” (Nancy) Jantze, Milford, NE; Martin Jantze, Milford, NE; 11 grandchildren, great grandchildren and many great-great grandchildren; brothers, Larry (June) Jantze, Ellendale, ND; Joe (Mary) Jantze, IL; twin sister, Marilyn Eberspacher, Milford, NE; and sister Sherry Fougeron (Ken), Lincoln, NE. He is also survived by a host of other relatives and friends. 

Maurice was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Lola Jantze, wife, Alberta Jantze on August 11, 1998, daughter-in-law Noreen Jantze, granddaughter Ashley Jantze, brother Jack Jantze, and brother-in-law Ron Eberspacher.

Memorials are suggested to the Mennonite Meat Canning or HoriSun Hospice.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 29, 2024, from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at the Lauber Funeral Home in Milford, NE, with family greeting and receiving friends and relatives from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday March 30, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Beth-El Community Church in Milford, NE.

Interment will be held at the Milford Mennonite Cemetery, rural Milford, NE, following the Funeral service.

Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services, Milford, NE.

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