Argyle Janzen

Argyle Janzen was born October 4th, 1946, in Enid Oklahoma to Marvin and Regina (Isaac) Janzen and passed from this world on March 14th, 2025, after a five-year battle with dementia.

Argyle grew up on the family farm east of Medford with his big brother Duaine and little sister Vivian. They played, rode horses, and eventually learned to help with the chores on the farm. He helped milk the cows and talked about how much he loved the cream that would rise to the top but would get into trouble sneaking a taste. He attended (and later became a member) the Medford Mennonite Church and attended high school at Oklahoma Bible Academy.

While working for a custom cutter crew, Argyle met the love of his life, Bonnie Samuelson, in Palco, Kansas. After a long-distance romance, the two were married on April 15th, 1967. After moving around a bit, they finally settled back in Medford, where Argyle began helping his dad with the farming. He also received his CDL and went into business with his father-in-law, Gus Samuelson, hauling grain. He went on to haul other things for other people and loved to tell stories of his travels.

In 1968 their daughter Michelle was born, followed in 1974 by her little brother, Travis. Argyle wore many hats throughout the years in addition to farming. He convinced Bonnie they should buy the OTASCO store in Medford where he sold and worked on Dixon lawn mowers. For a time, he and Bonnie raised parakeets, he drove a school bus and finally worked for Grant County District, driving a grader for 20 years.

After retiring from farming and the county, at the insistence of Michelle, Bonnie and Argyle sold their house (and a lot of belongings!) and bought a house in Cherokee. It was a struggle for Argyle, already suffering from dementia, but they made it work. On January 27th, 2025, he was admitted to the Wakita Community Health Center due to that awful disease.

Argyle was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Regina; mother and father-in-law, Gus and Vida Samuelson; sister-in-law, Dixie Mangum and husband, Ken and brother-in-law, Al Cooper.

He is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Bonnie; daughter, Michelle Penner and husband, Mike of Cherokee; son, Travis Janzen and wife, Charlene of Cimarron, Kansas; one brother, Duaine Janzen and wife, Linda and his little sister, Vivian Cooper of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Mitch Penner and wife, Lisa of Burlington, Chelsey Riley and husband, Jeff of Yukon, Oklahoma, Jordan Penner of Cherokee, Oklahoma, Coby Janzen and wife, Grace of Mineola, Kansas and Luke Janzen of Cimarron. Argyle was also blessed with great-grandchildren, Brantley, Gracelyn, August (Gus), Samuel (Sammy), Peter and Viola as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial service will be Friday, March 21, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the Nazarene Church in Medford. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Medford. www.lanmanfuneralhome.com Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.