Ruth "Marie" Jantzen

Services for Marie Jantzen will be 2:00p.m., Friday, January 23, 2015 at Memorial Heights Baptist Church, her pastor, Paul Simpson will officiate. She will be laid to rest next to Bud, her loving husband of 61 years, at Oakhaven Memorial Gardens, under the direction on MMS-Payne Funeral Home. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday, January 22 from 1pm—8pm, with family receiving visitors from 6pm—8pm. Marie passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2015 with her family by her side. She was 86.
Ruth “Marie” Jantzen was born on October 15, 1928 in Adair, Oklahoma to Frankie James and Ione Katherine (Maggard) Downs. She was reared and educated in her birth community with her brother and four sisters. She attended school at the old Southpoint School on Highway 28, between Foyil and Adair. Marie married Bud Jantzen on October 21, 1951 in Claremore. The couple made a move to California where Bud was stationed in the Air Force. Following his honorable discharge, they moved back to Claremore and began their family, first their son Rick in 1952 and then daughter Sandi in 1953. Bud’s job with McDonnell-Douglas took the young family to Florida and St. Louis before they were able to return to Claremore and this has been home since. Marie was the center of her family. She was a wonderful wife and mother, maintaining the home and raising her children were her top priority. They were very active in their church, Marie taught bible school as well as other supporting roles. She enjoyed crafts, crocheting, flower gardening and reading. Her grandkids were the highlight of her life and she loved spending time with them.
Marie is survived by her son Rick Jantzen and wife Donna of Owasso; daughter Sandi Bartles and husband Joe of Claremore; brother Carl Downs and wife Lena of Big Cabin; sisters Geraldine Sherwood of Miami and Maxine Watt and husband Harry of Tulsa; grandchildren Anndrea Jeane and husband Andy of Stillwater; Regan Jantzen and wife Jeni of Chickasha, Michelle Green of Claremore, Jodi Couch and husband John of Wagoner, Scott Bartles of Claremore; her great grandchildren Alexys and Kyler Finley, Ramsey and Morgen Jantzen, Raeli Green and Adison Couch. She was preceded by her parents Fankie and Ione Downs, her loving husband Elvin (Bud) Jantzen, sisters Beatrice Boren and Mary Faye McDaniels and great grandson Kage Green.