Obituaries

WILLI JANTZ

Willi Jantz, 84, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026, surrounded by family, faith, and music. He was born in present day Poland on July 16, 1942, a son of Emma (nee Schultz) and Robert Jantz. He survived by his three children Jennifer (Kyle), Stephan (Annamarie) and Leah-Marie (Tony) and the light of his life, his three grandchildren; Emma, Lucas, and Lilianna and his step grandson, Jason. He also leaves a large community of friends and extended family, particularly Dolores, who has been a solid rock of support for him and the family for many years.

Willi, Dad, Papa, Uncle Willi, Papa Willi was a family man through and through. He was a single parent to his three children and dedicated his life to raising his children. He derived the most joy when all of his family gathered together for a meal, a visit, and a piece of apple pie. His top priority was always his children and his grandchildren, and we all grew up knowing his unconditional love. He was a beloved uncle to his many nieces and nephews, and he welcomed new family members with his whole heart.

Willi, your friendly neighbourhood plumber, knew the value of a hard day’s work. He started working at 16 years old and quickly began a plumbing apprenticeship. He soon attained his journeyman certificate and was quickly given the responsibility of foreman for the construction of the Winnipeg Convention Center. He spent his days as a plumber and his evenings and weekends building and fixing a never-ending number of projects. If you ever needed a part for any sort of project, Willi probably had it. When he wasn’t at work, he was in his garage. He was particularly proud of the sailboat he built with his brother-in-law, August and of course his house, that he built himself, at 121 Elliot Rd. He lived in the house he built until the day he died.

Willi kept God at the center of his life. He was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church and was one of the founding members of Abundant Life Lutheran Church in East St Paul. Willi made his relationship with his God the foundation on which he built his life and was the definition of a “good and faithful servant”. He believed that God’s love is always the answer and credits his faith with getting him through the hard times.

When he wasn’t reading his Bible, he was reading the T and T seed catalogue. He loved being able to grow his own food and then share his harvest with his friends, family, the cashiers at the ReStore and the receptionists at the doctor’s office. He was forever inventing another way to improve his yield and never stopped thinking of projects that could make his garden better.

He will be greatly missed by so many. A funeral will take place at Abundant Life Lutheran Church in East St Paul on Friday, July 24th at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Abundant Life Lutheran Church.