Maurice DeWayne Jantze was born July 5, 1936, in Milford, to Lee and Lola (Eicher) Jantze, and passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at the Ridgewood Rehabilitation Center in Seward 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, Iowa, and Christy (Arlin) Scherbarth, Gordon; sons, Maurice “Butch” (Nancy) Jantze, Milford, and Martin Jantze, Milford; 11 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many great-great grandchildren; brothers, Larry (June) Jantze, Ellendale, North Dakota, Joe (Mary) Jantze, Illinois; twin sister, Marilyn Eberspacher, Milford; and sister, Sherry Fougeron (Ken), Lincoln. 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 Aug. 11, 1998; daughter-in-law, Noreen Jantze; granddaughter, Ashley Jantze; brother, Jack Jantze; and brother-in-law, Ron Eberspacher.
The funeral service was March 30 at Beth-El Community Church in Milford with interment at the Milford Mennonite Cemetery, rural Milford. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Mennonite Meat Canning or HoriSun Hospice. Arrangements by Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services, Milford.
