Richard Janzen, age 86, formerly of Hampton, passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island, surrounded by his family.
Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, August 11 at Pleasant View Bible Church in Aurora. Rev. Bob Gannon will officiate. Interment will be in the Hampton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday at Pleasant View Bible Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Community Church in Aurora. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com.
Richard E. Janzen, the son of Peter and Martha (Regier) Janzen was born in Conway, Kansas on May 8, 1940. He leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire family, friends, and the many lives he touched. Rich was kind, quick to smile, could talk easily with anyone he met and always had a story to tell.
Rich grew up in Hamilton County and graduated from Aurora High School. He married Lois (Russell) in 1964 and raised 3 children in the Aurora and Hampton communities. He worked various jobs during their early married years; printer at Aurora News Register, part-time police officer, and dispatch clerk at the Aurora Post Office. He spent the rest of his career working for the United States Postal Service; first in Chapman and Phillips, then spending 21 years or so as the Hampton Postmaster, retiring in 1998. He then enjoyed working various jobs including hauling corn for farmers, hauling ethanol to Denver, grain sampling, and working security for CF Industries.
When he wasn’t working, Rich enjoyed building and racing stock cars in the 60’s and 70’s. There are many stories and memories from that “hobby”. Rich and Lois enjoyed camping and for several years created an annual family campout where many special memories were made with his kids and grandkids. He also spent a lot of time creating his mailbox train that his grandkids could ride in and then taking that train to a variety of parades where he became known as the mailbox train conductor.
He was a faithful member and an integral part of establishing the Faith Community Church in Aurora. He had a genuine love for the Lord and enjoyed sharing that when opportunities presented themselves to do so. Especially with his family, it was very important for him to make sure they heard the gospel and how much the Lord loved them all.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Martha (Regier) Janzen; grandson, Jacob Janzen; sister Jan (Zech) and brother, John Janzen, Sr.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Lois of Grand Island; three children, Kim (Stan) Frantz of Lawrence, KS, Doug (Debbie) Janzen of Hampton, Charles Janzen of Hampton and stepson Dave Christensen of Lincoln; grandchildren Matt Frantz, Brett (Megan) Frantz, Scott Frantz, Nolan (Tierney) Janzen, Randi (John) Cartier, Reagan (Carter) Terry, Sydney Janzen, Don Christensen, Dane (Alena) Christensen, Dean Christensen, Addie (Khyree) Pettiford, and Amy Christensen and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Don Jazen of Hampton and many friends and relatives.