Ernest J. Jantzen, 88 years of age, of Beatrice passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center. He was born at Beatrice on November 4, 1936 to Abraham and Agnes (Albrecht) Jantzen. Ernest graduated from Beatrice High School in 1955. From 1958 to 1960, he served in Mennonite Voluntary Service in Greece teaching the people how to raise chickens before returning home to help his father farm. Ernest married Neva Champ on November 23, 1963 at the First Christian Church in Beatrice. He was a dairy and crop farmer until 1986, then continued work in agriculture. Ernest worked at Walmart when the Beatrice location opened until 2008 where he made great friends before working in maintenance at First Christian Church until he was 80 years old. Ernest was a member of First Mennonite Church and was a past board member on the Farmers Cooperative Board of Directors. He enjoyed his family, spending time with his grandchildren, watching Husker sports, putting puzzles together and red tractors. 

Ernest is survived by his children, Scott, Darlene Funk and Bryan, Darwin and wife Terri, all of Beatrice; grandchildren, Aaron, Asha, Leona and Denise Jantzen, Emily and Nickolas Funk, Cody Parker and wife Samantha, Alexander and wife Jovanna, Bonnie Jantzen and special friend James Steele; great grandchildren, Campbell, Arlo and Sylvie Parker, Sidney and Liam Jantzen; siblings, Harlan Jantzen of Denver, Colorado, Alvin Jantzen and wife Jane of Leo, Indiana, Ruth Lunn of San Tan Valley, Arizona; brothers-in-law, Dennis Champ and wife Helen of South Dakota, Lew and wife Linda of Sterling, Colorado; sisters-in-law, Nancy Schmidt and husband Larry of Fairbury, Rogena Jantzen of Beatrice; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Neva on October 27, 2021; daughter-in-law, Denise Jantzen; granddaughter, Sydney Jantzen; sister, Dorothy Luker; brother, Gerald Jantzen; and twin sister, Erna Thieszen and husband Aldon.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at the First Mennonite Church west of Beatrice with Pastor Josh Janzen officiating. The service will be live streamed on the church's YouTube page. A family prayer service will be held at 10:45 AM Tuesday in the church basement. Private prior interment will be in the Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice on Monday, September 1, 2025 from 2 to 8 PM with family greeting friends from 5 to 7 PM. Memorials are suggested to the family’s choice in care of the mortuary. Condolences may be left online at www.harmanwrightmortuary.com. Harman-Wright Mortuary & Crematory in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.