Merle Dean Janzen

Merle Dean Janzen, 86, longtime resident of Animas passed away October 8, 2018 in Silver City.

Visitation will be Saturday October 13, 2018 from 3 to 6 o'clock in the afternoon at Baca's Funeral Chapels in Deming.  A graveside funeral service will be held Sunday October 14, 2018 at 1 o'clock in the afternoon at the Middle Animas Cemetery.  A reception will follow at the Animas Community Center. 

Merle was born November 4, 1931 to Carl Henry and Vera Janzen in Moline, Kansas.  He was an Air Force veteran serving in the Korean War.  In 1974 he  moved to Animas coming from Ruidoso.  He was a general building contractor owning Janzen Construction, was in the dwell drilling, scrap and industrial welding business.  For several years he owned a hardware store.  Hard work was his character until the end. 

Merle is survived by his wife Esther Wilma Janzen of Animas; sons, David Wayne Janzen of Animas and Michael Dean Janzen of Silver City; daughter, Lynda Dianne Torres of Las Cruces, 8 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Charlotte Mae Janzen in March 21, 2004; daughter,  Mary Lou Janzen;  parents, Carl Henry and Vera Janzen; sisters, Corrine Aronson, Shirley Estirillo and Wanda Janzen.

Serving as pallbearers Jordan Yates, Jayson Janzen, Damien Janzen, Michael Allen Smith, Octavio Valencia and Jay Peterson.

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