Marjorie Juanita Heinrichs
Marjorie Juanita Janzen was born March 5, 1936, to John and Katie Janzen. The youngest of 10 children, Marjorie grew up on her parents’ farm northwest of Corn, Okla. She recalled many fun times there with her sisters and brothers and their families.
That home place and the creek nearby meant so much to her that when she had grandchildren later in life, she would revisit her childhood memories by taking the grandkids there and telling them the stories of her youth.
Marjorie first went to the country school near her home, and later attended Corn Public School, graduating in 1954.
During her school years, Marjorie fell in love with a tall, dark-haired young man named Wallace Heinrichs. They were married on Dec. 28, 1954. That day proved to be especially memorable for many reasons.
A severe blizzard swept into western Oklahoma that day. People managed to arrive at the Corn Mennonite Brethren Church for the wedding and reception. Returning home, however, became extremely precarious!
Many people had to spend the night in church or somewhere in Corn. Wallace and Marjorie received an invitation from the pastor to stay with him at the parsonage that night. They declined. As Wallace drove towards their first home on the farm southwest of Colony, the roads became more and more treacherous, and it was impossible to see.
They had to stop and stay at Wallace’s parents’ home that night, and headed towards their own home the following day. Truly a day to remember!
After living at their home on a farm near Colony for a short time, Wallace and Marjorie made the decision to move to California to work.
They settled in a Venice Beach apartment three blocks from the Pacific Ocean. Marjorie worked at Sears, while Wallace was employed by McDonald-Douglas Aircraft Company.
He also pumped gas for movie stars at a Chevron station on the corner of Hollywood and Vine. They loved to walk on the beach and enjoyed their time in California, but were ready to return to their Oklahoma farm and start a family.
Marjorie loved babies and was so happy to welcome four of her own. Cassandra was born in 1958, followed by Randy and then Steven.
The family moved to the Heinrichs home place in 1965, where baby Robert joined them in 1968. Marjorie loved being a mother, and the children have many happy memories growing up on the farms.
The family followed the wheat harvest north as custom cutters, and Mrs. Heinrichs always talked about the summer Robert was a little baby. She was constantly in the kitchen of the travel trailer, so big sister Cassie became Robbie’s caretaker. Even though it was hard work, they loved the adventures of those years.
Of course, children do grow up, and her children grew up listening to their mom and dad’s nightly prayers. They were taught that God loves them and wants them to ask Jesus to be their Savior.
They attended church together, where the parents took on many service roles. More importantly, they were Godly role models for their children, and later for the grandchildren, and taught them the values the family lives by today.
Speaking of grandchildren, Mrs. Heinrichs seemed a little uncertain about becoming a grandmother. Any hesitation vanished upon meeting her first grandchild, Amber. It was love at first sight!
She took on the name Nana, and proceeded to welcome more and more grandchildren into her heart.
Nana loved caring for her grandchildren as they grew. There was no place like Nana’s house! Good food and good fun were Nana’s guidelines. Nana was faithful in prayer for each and every grandchild.
Their family was so blessed to see how Nana responded to seeing her grandkids as she lay in her hospital bed last week unable to speak. So much love and communication flowed between them.
The grandchildren spoke with her, and she responded by expressions, hugs, and lots of hand squeezing. It was so beautiful to see.
Family was everything to Mrs. Heinrichs. Her most memorable and fun times were spent with kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.
It was especially great when They could all get together in the Colorado mountains. They held two family gatherings in Breckenridge and made many trips to Lake City. Their mother loved those times and had happy memories of the fellowship and fun.
Mr. and Mrs. Heinrichs celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with Mr. Heinrich’s brother, Willard, and his wife, Velma. Together they set sail on an Alaskan cruise, taking in the beauty of mountains and glaciers.
No remembrance of mother would be complete without mentioning her cooking! She loved cooking for her family as well as for others. Her cinnamon rolls could not be beat, and her homemade pizza was the best pizza ever, no doubt! Cooking was a labor of love for their mother, and she loved the Heinrich family well!
Mrs. Heinrichs was baptized upon confession of her faith in September of 1951. She was a prayer warrior for her family, laying up treasures in heaven, namely, her children and grandchildren who love and follow God. She passed from this life into the presence of her Savior and Lord Saturday, July 11, 2015.
The family mourns, but not as those who have no faith in God and in His provision for eternal life. The family will see her again in heaven.
Marjorie is survived by her husband, Wallace, of Corn; her children, Cassandra Moses, and her husband, Mark, of Elk City, Okla., Randy Heinrichs, and his wife, Stephanie, of McPherson, Kan., Steven Heinrichs, and his wife, Sharbee, of Weatherford, Okla. and Robert and wife Brenda Heinrichs of Corn, Okla.
Also her grandchildren, Amber and Ryan Waggoner, Emerald and Jonathan Beck, John Michael and Ginnifer Heinrichs, Tyler and Hilary Heinrichs, Bonnie and Chaz Robinson, Chris Vandersloot, Lindsay Heinrichs, Bridgette Heinrichs, Luke and Megan Goucher, and Heather Heinrichs.
Also great-grandchildren Madeline, Jaxton, Aubrey, AJ, Hunter, Kimber, Colt and Kobe.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 16, 2015, at the Corn Mennonite Brethren Church in Corn, Oklahoma with Pastor Ken Gardner officiating and burial will follow at the Corn Cemetery.
Services are under the direction of Musick-Varner Funeral Home of Cordell, Okla.
(Paid Obituary)