Obituary of Francis A. Janke

Francis A. Janke WINSTED, Minn.--Francis A. Janke, 86, a longtime Fort Atkinson resident, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2014, at St. Mary’s Care Center, Winsted, Minn., which he called home for the past year and a half. Fran was born in the township of Summit, Wisconsin on March 19, 1928 to the late Fred and Irene (Hemke) Janke. After completing 8th grade, he began farming to help support his family. On November 19, 1949 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Bernice M. Arndt. He continued farming until being drafted into the Army in 1954 and served as a carpenter and power saw operator assigned to Ernest Harmon Air Force Base in Stephenville, Newfoundland, through March of 1956. While in the service, he completed his GED. Upon discharge from the Army, he was employed by W.D. Hoard & Sons, for 38 years, as a Pressman’s Assistant. Fran enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He loved to travel, especially to the Minneapolis area, visiting Army buddies, and later in life enjoyed bus trips to Branson and Newfoundland with his wife and friends. Stamp collecting, bowling, fishing and horseshoe pitching were a few of his hobbies. He grew up playing cards, especially Sheepshead and Cribbage. He also liked to fix televisions and radios back in the day when there were tubes in them. While at St. Mary’s he loved to tease the caregivers and gave as much as he got. He was preceded in death by Bernice, his wife of 63 years, his parents, brother, Melvin “Butch” Janke, and brother-in-Law, Willard Kreklow. Survivors include son, Jeffrey (Deb) Janke of St. Louis Park, Minn., and daughter, Suzanne (Neil) Anderson of St. Bonifacius, Minn.; grandchildren Jessica, Tim and Stephen Janke, and Amy and Erica Anderson; great-granddaughter, Zoe Theis; sister, Janet Kreklow, brother Fred (Yvonne) Janke, sister-in-law, Gloria Janke; other relatives and friends, as well as the staff and residents of St. Mary’s many of whom were “family” to Francis. A memorial service will be held in Fort Atkinson for Fran and his wife, Bernie, at a later date. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Care Center, Winsted, Minn., or the donor’s choice. “See ya later, Alligator…”