Arlene C. Janzen Memorial Fund

Arlene Claudette Janzen was born on November 7, 1956 to Abe and Margaret Janzen in Rosthern, Saskatchewan. Arlene had such an amazing spiritual zest for life and would always greet you with a brilliant smile.

Growing up on the farm in Saskatchewan, Arlene was very proud of the work ethic she learned. She enjoyed what it was truly like to be a farmer, working with nature from the growth in the spring to fall harvest, including all the weeding that needed to be done and caring for the livestock.

Arlene was baptized at Rosthern Mennonite Church in 1974. After high school, Arlene went to Hillcrest Christian College, followed by attending the University of Saskatchewan where she obtained her undergrad in 1980.

In 1983, Arlene embarked on her first trip with the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) to Botswana, Africa. She had so many stories to tell and countless fond memories of the people that she met and worked with, many of those relationships continued throughout her life.

After three years in Botswana, Arlene slowly made her way back home, visiting and doing MCC audits in a number of countries along the way. She returned home in 1987, but shortly thereafter moved to Winnipeg to obtain her MA in Development Economics.

This led her to a lifelong commitment to community, volunteerism, and providing development services as both a Chartered Professional Accountant and Masters Development Economist on a local, national, and international level.

Arlene and Darhl were married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony on July 6, 1991 at Riding Mountain National Park. Arlene’s passion for travel and continuing to do service work had Arlene and Darhl making numerous trips, some for pleasure but many were to do audits for MCC and later Canadian Foodgrains Bank in various countries. In her many years of service, Arlene visited 61 countries. 

Arlene volunteered her services to many diverse development agencies, theatrical groups, community governance, and charities ongoing until her passing of ovarian cancer at Grace Hospice in Regina on November 13, 2023.

Arlene was so full of life, she had such a beautiful, contagious smile, and a warm, caring heart. She made so many meaningful connections with everyone she crossed paths with, which blossomed into long lasting friendships. It is in this spirit her legacy of giving will live on to benefit in perpetuity at the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation.