Obituary of Daniel P Jantsch

Daniel P. Jantsch died peacefully in his Sedona home on December 4, 2020; having been blessed with caring visits from Hospice and dear friends. His devoted wife, Gerri Thomas-Jantsch; daughter, Lori Warrington; granddaughter Chloe Warrington were by his side. Because of a positive Covid test, grandson Matt Lund attended via Zoom. Dan was born to William and Loretta Jantsch on July 3, 1946 in Dorchester, Wisconsin. He was the youngest of the siblings. Brothers; Bill Jantsch of Peosta, Iowa; Jim Jantsch of Dorchester, Wisconsin; Sisters; Barbarina (Polly) Jantsch of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Judy Gramling of Neenah, Wisconsin and Mary Barranco of San Lorenzo, California. He also leaves numerous in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Dan was an altar boy for many years and was well thought of by his community and classmates. Dan graduated top 10% from Dor-Abby High School in 1964. He excelled in all sports, especially football, baseball and basketball. Although popular, he was humble and they saw his determination to work and attend law school. With set goals, he attended the University of Wisconsin from 1964-1968. He decided to serve his country and enlisted in the US Army Green Beret Special Forces from 1968-1971. He was a Commissioned Officer 1st Lieutenant in Vietnam 1970-1971. He particularly enjoyed the exhilaration of parachuting from planes. He was decorated with various honors and medals. In 1971, he attended Mitchell Law School in St. Paul, Minnesota, earning a law degree in 1975. To escape the harsh Midwest winters, he moved to Arizona. Dan practiced law for 39 years. His most enlightening 37 or so years was being a partner with the firm Olson, Jantsch and Bakker. He got a pilot’s license so he could fly to areas of Arizona to defend doctors and hospitals. He also defended many clients pro bono. When the firm disbanded in 2012, the brotherhood of Olson, Jantsch & Bakker remained. Congestive Heart failure forced an earlier than expected retirement in 2014. He sorely missed his colleagues and the courtroom. However, he remained active as a consultant with the Arizona Criminal Justice Project for another 2 years. Dan and Gerri would have celebrated their 36th anniversary in April 2021. Twenty years ago they designed and had their dream home built in the “Village” in beautiful Sedona. Dan had a zest for living life. He loved his family, friends, home, horses, dogs, riding and camping in the Superstitions, Green Bay Packers, Mexican food, rodeos, Vegas & Laughlin shows, giving and going to parties, polka, attending Matt and Chloe’s games, and traveling to foreign countries and the USA. Most enjoyable were family trips with the kids, class reunions in Montana and Wisconsin and family get-togethers. Chloe & Matt will forever be grateful for the role model he was to them. Lori had his heart and he had hers. He was a loving, compassionate, generous and thoughtful husband, father, brother and G-Pa. Because of Covid, the family will have a private burial at the National Memorial Cemetery on December 18th. A Celebration of Life will be held in 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dan’s name to St. Mary’s Food Bank or the Phoenix Rescue Mission. A recording of his services that took place on Friday, December 18, 2020 at National Memorial Cemetery in Arizona, can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf0gwI_WTgI