Anita Iris Jantz Holdeman

Our dear mom and my wife, Anita Iris Jantz Holdeman, was born to Glenn Robert and Eva Merle Amoth Jantz in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on June 9, 1949. She peacefully passed away to glory at her home on Sept. 23, 2020, after losing a courageously-fought battle with cancer.

Mom was the oldest of 10 children. She spent her childhood years in the beautiful Kootenai Valley of North Idaho, except for one year in Newton, Kansas. Her family had moved to be near her ailing grandfather who passed away on her ninth birthday.

At the age of 11, mom answered God's call to serve him and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, by her uncle, Minister Eddie Justus. She remained faithful to those vows.

When Mom was 18, her daddy was tragically taken in a construction accident. Eight months later, her baby brother Duane joined him in Heaven. Mom helped support the family by working as a librarian in the high school library and at the public library, and as an admissions clerk and switchboard operator in the local hospital. A highlight of her youth was six weeks spent teaching Bible school in Arizona.

Mom had an adventurous spirit, and in 1972 she flew across the country to Georgia, taking a teaching position in one of our first church schools. It was there mom met the man of her dreams, our dad Milferd Holdeman. They married on Aug. 25, 1974, sharing just over 46 years together. Their home was blessed with five children.

Family time was very important to Mom. She spent many hours planning interesting vacations. Mom taught us the value of respect and responsibility. She enjoyed substituting at school and also spent many years teaching Home Ec. (cooking, sewing, and etiquette lessons).

For many years Mom was an American Greetings merchandiser in our local towns. Mom liked to spend time in the yard and had flowers blooming year-round. She loved to cook, try new dishes, set a pretty table and entertain company. Mom was an avid reader. Many were the books she read to us as children and later to the grandchildren. Each grandchild was special and she was eagerly looking forward to welcoming two more.

Mom loved to go to church and taught Sunday school for many years. Her savior was dear to her. When Mom was sick in the hospital this last summer, she had a beautiful vision of the crossing. It was a treasured experience that helped sustain her in her illness and was a comfort to us as a family.

Those left with fond memories are her loving husband, Milferd; children, Janna and Duane Wenger, Newton, Kan.; Jonita and David Miller, El Campo, Texas; Ryan and Cheryl Holdeman, Wrens, Ga.; Ricky and Kendra Holdeman, Stapleton, Ga.; and Darla and Kelwin Hibner, Stapleton; 11 grandchildren and three step-grandchildren; sisters, Glenda and Rodney Harms, Baker City, Ore.; Twyla and Galen Ensz, Bonners Ferry; Melva and Rodney Giesbrecht, Davisboro, Ga.; Gloria and Dan Holdeman, Bonners Ferry; and Geneva and Delton Koehn, Bonners Ferry; brothers, Lynn and Leah Jantz, Porthill, Idaho; Tim and Tina Jantz, Bonners Ferry; and Merrill and Starly Jantz, Bonners Ferry; brothers-in-law, Duane and Francis Holdeman, Moundridge, Kan.; Howard and Pauline Holdeman, Clarksdale, Miss.; Dale and Twila Holdeman, Wrens, Ga.; and Lloyd and Luanne Holdeman, Wrens, Ga.; sisters-in-law, Karen Holdeman, Lobelville, Tenn.; Wanda Peters, Louisville, Ga.; and Letha Peters, Louisville; three uncles and one aunt, Marion Jantz, Nevada, Mo., Emily and Harry Nachtigal, Hutchinson, Kan.; and Norman Toews, Montezuma, Kan.; and many many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, one nephew, four brothers-in-law, and three sisters-in-law.