Mellie Maud Janzen was born on November 17, 1930 to parents Robert and Inez Dewberry in Elba, Alabama. Mellie grew up in southern Alabama in a strong Christian home with four sisters and one brother. She completed high school one year early, with honors as valedictorian. At the age of 17, Mellie entered nursing school in Tuscaloosa and graduated at the top of her class.

While working as a nurse in Troy, Alabama, Mellie met the love of her life on a blind date. She married Peter Janzen on December 17, 1951. Their love resulted in an immediate winter move from balmy Alabama to frigid Alberta, Canada as their honeymoon trip. They eventually settled in Burlington, Ontario, Canada where they raised their two children, Howard Emmett and Irene Melanie. In 1970, the family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where Mellie happily remained until her final day. She enjoyed staying active, encouraged by her strong faith, many friendships, church activities and weekly exercise class. She took pride in her family and her independence. She embraced technology, which she used to keep up with her growing family.

Mellie is preceded in death by her beloved husband Peter in 1997, daughter Irene in 1989, two sisters and her brother. Left to mourn her passing are son Howard Janzen and his wife Cherine; grandson Michael Janzen, his wife Darci and great-grandsons Charlie and Christopher; granddaughter Suzanne Ewert, her husband Michael and great-grandchildren Jacob and Anna Claire; grandson Peter Janzen, his wife Lyndsay and great-grandson Franklin; her sisters Mary Osteen, Laura Kelley and her husband Winston. Also mourning her passing are brother-in-law Jake Janzen, his wife Margaret; brothers-in-law Henry Neufeld and John Sawatzky; sisters-in-law Martha Dewberry, Mary Wieler, Elma Sawatzky and Rita Sawatzky; many nieces, nephews and friends.

We as a family mourn, but we are not without hope because we know that Mellie is now with her Lord and Savior. We look forward to a joyful reunion in the presence of Christ. Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kirk of the Hills Memorial fund or your favorite charity.

Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233
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