Janet Hausz Kaiser

Defiance, Ohio

Janet M. (Hausz) Kaiser, 67, of Defiance, Ohio, was called to heavenly glory on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, with her endeared family by her side at St. Vincent’s Mercy Medical Center.

Jan was born April 1, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of Henry and Marie (Wampner) Hausz. On August 2, 1969, she married George Kaiser, who survives. She attended Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois, and then Indiana Central Business College of Indianapolis, Indiana, graduating with an associate business degree in 1968.

She worked as a secretary for SK Tools, an optical technician and receptionist for Northwest Ohio Vision Center, a secretary for Isaly Klondike East Central Regional Sales, and as office manager until retirement in the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center for 13 years.

Jan displayed her love for her Lord by serving Him as a church organist for 55 years, the last 45 years at St. John Lutheran Church in Defiance. She has also served as church music director, choir director, and choir accompanist.

In addition to serving the Lord through music, Jan loved cooking, flower gardening and traveling. Most important to her, however, was time spent with her children, and then in recent years, her five grandchildren.

Jan is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, George; daughter, Cheryl (Matthew) Carothers of Columbus, Indiana; and sons, David (Erika) Kaiser of Millington, Michigan, and Bryan (girlfriend, Dana Birk) of Lumberton, North Carolina; in addition to five grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kimberly, and Kaleena Carothers and Emma and Elijah Kaiser. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Mary Jo Detmer of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Janet Hausz of Shelbyville, Indiana, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, George and Marvin Hausz.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2015, at St. John Lutheran Church in Defiance, with Pastor Joshua Schmidt and Pastor Donald Luhring officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2015, at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance, and from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the church. Burial will take place at 1:00 p.m.  Monday, March 9, 2015, at Riverview Memory Gardens in Defiance, for those who wish to attend.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to St. John Lutheran School, Defiance, the Baringer-Wachtman Scholarship Fund, or St. John Lutheran Church Music Fund, Defiance.