Retired life not boring for Jantzens
Staff writer
Although they have been retired for several years, Paul and Elaine Jantzen still manage to keep busy.
"We only just retired from our paying jobs," Paul and Elaine said smiling.
The couple came to Hillsboro nearly 44 years ago.
Elaine was born in rural Moundridge.
In 1946, she became a student at Bethel College where she later received a bachelor's of arts degree in social science, concentrating on sociology and psychology.
At Bethel College around 1947, she met her future husband Paul Jantzen.
Paul was born in Beatrice, Neb. He grew up in a rural area and attended a country school there. He graduated from Beatrice High School.
After graduation, Paul worked in the hospital as a custodian, yard man and maintenance person for one year. The next year he attended Bethel College and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in biology.
The couple started dating in 1950 and were married in 1951. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year.
Both Paul and Elaine worked for two years at Bethel. Elaine worked in the president's office. Paul managed the college store which bought and stocked various supplies, such as pipes, lumber, etc., for the college and sold items to the college personnel as well.
The couple also served as house parents in the boys' dormitory.
"We had a bunch of boys by the time we were married," they said smiling.
In 1953, the couple moved to Larned where Paul accepted a teaching position as a natural science teacher at Radium High School in Radium, which was a town of less than 100 people.
"We could not find housing in Radium, so we lived in Larned," Elaine said.
While living there, Elaine worked in the "steno-pool" in Larned. Elaine explained that this was an office at the Larned State Hospital. They typed for various social workers and psychologists at the hospital.
In 1957, the couple moved to Buhler where Paul accepted a one-year position at Buhler High School to help a friend, who was going on sabbatical. He taught natural science and a course in yearbook while there.
Elaine was a housewife during that year.
"Since I knew we were there for just a year, I didn't pursue anything," Elaine said, "Besides, there weren't many jobs available in Buhler then."
In 1958, Paul accepted the position as a natural science teacher at Hillsboro High School.
They moved to Hillsboro, and Elaine began working part-time for then Superintendent H.B. Kliewer.
"But for two years we had been working with the Kansas Children's Service League, waiting to adopt a child," Elaine said.
"I let them know in the office right up front that if we got a child, I would be leaving," she said. "He (Kliewer) was nice enough to hire me under those conditions."
In 1961, the Jantzen's adopted their first daughter, Lisa. In 1964, they adopted another daughter, Kristine. Elaine remained a stay-at-home during the years the girls were growing up.
In 1977, Delilah Deckert, then the Hillsboro Public Librarian, asked Elaine to come and work at the library on a part-time basis.
Elaine had served on the library board for a number of years. She began working as a library assistant to Deckert.
During his years of teaching, Paul attended summer classes to get a master's degree in biology, which he received in the summer of 1959.
In 1969, he took a summer course in physics at Kansas State University. He also took environmental science and chemistry courses at Emporia State University and took courses in molecular genetics and energy at the University of Kansas.
Paul taught at the high school for 33 years retiring in 1992.
Elaine retired from the library in 1998.
Before and after retiring, the couple have been involved in a number activities jointly and separately.
Paul taught for two years as a biology teacher at Bethel College, substituting for a teacher on sabbatical leave.
"I took a leave of absence from the high school to teach one year," Paul said. "It was a learning experience; it was a good chance for me to learn a lot."
Paul is currently working as a mediator with the Offender Victim Ministries in Newton, after serving on the board for 10 years. He works with Marion County juveniles and adults. He also works with the VORP in Marion County which is similar to OVM and has been involved in that program since it started 11 years ago.
He has written a column "Prairie Wanderings" since July 1990 for the Hillsboro Star-Journal, which led to producing a book of his column writings, with the same title, in 1993.
In 1997, he wrote the book Clover Cliff Ranch — the Land and Its People. He has also helped write a high school biology text and a junior high life science text, both published by McMillan Publishing Company.
Paul is also involved with the CROP Walk; is president of the Marion County Association of Retired School Personnel; helps edit the Kansas Biology Teacher journal; and serves on the natural history committee of the Kauffman Museum in North Newton. He is responsible for finding volunteers for the recycling center in Hillsboro.
Elaine is involved in several community activities as well. She has been involved in Relay for Life for five years and has served on the election board. She and Paul are active in the Democratic Party in Marion County.
Together they have been members of First Mennonite Church for more than 40 years. They have served in various capacities in the church from deacon, music committee, peace and service committee to singing in the choir.
After being married for 50 years, Paul said that Elaine is "a pleasure to live with." And Elaine said that Paul is "the most honest person she knows."
The couple's two daughters are both married. Lisa and husband Tim Donahue live in Lincolnville with their two children, Ashley 18, and Andrew 14. Kristine and husband Lars Meyerson live in Houston, Texas, and have two adopted children, 4-year Madison, and four-month-old Jacob.
"In our family, adoption is hereditary," said Elaine.
