Leo R. Janke passed away peacefully at his home Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 92 years of age.
He was born August 12, 1926 in the Town of Union, Waupaca County to the F. Louis and Alma (Heideman) Janke. Leo was baptized and confirmed at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Symco, WI and continued to be a member of St. Mark’s church his entire life. In 1950, he went into the Army and was stationed at Fort McCoy, WI until being transferred to Wiesbaden, Germany working on the Treadway Bridge Company until his honorable discharge in 1952. In 1951, Leo married the love of his life, Rose Keller. They would have celebrated 68 years together February 17th this coming year. Shortly after their marriage and coming home from Germany, they bought a farm in the Town of Helvetia, where they still reside. Leo used his woodworking skills in remodeling the old farm house, where they raised five children. Leo was a dairy farmer, and in between farming he loved sawing logs in the saw mill he built on the farm, and also making firewood. Leo was active and made firewood to heat his house up until a few years ago. Leo also loved fishing, where they had a place on the Willow Flowage near Tomahawk in which many of his children and grandchildren visited in the 24 years they summered up there. He taught many of us all his fishing techniques, ensuring we always had fish for a “fish fry” which Rose would cook up. He also enjoyed deer hunting on the farm which he did even into his later years. He used his remarkable marksmanship to bring home the venison with his trusty Browning 12 gauge he purchased while stationed in Germany.
Leo is survived by his wife Rose, children: Karen Holman (Joe), Plover; Ben Janke (Su Fischer), Ogdensburg; Terri Kent (Jeff), Northland; 12 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two brothers, one sister, numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws. He is preceded in death by his parents, a son Gary, and a daughter Tammy, two brothers, a sister and several other relatives and in-laws.
We would like to thank the wonderful private caregivers from Iola, Theda Care hospice, and also family members for the wonderful care Leo received in his last remaining weeks while waiting for the call to his heavenly home.
“Goodbye is not forever, good bye is not the end, it simply means I’ll miss you until we meet again.”
Services were held at the Voie Funeral Home, Iola on Friday December 28, 2018. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. with a service at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Jeffrey A. Smiles will officiate. Lunch will follow immediately after the service at Silver lake Lanes, Scandinavia, WI. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.