Obit: Janke, Zelda Fae (1936 - 2015)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Janke, Downer, Pigott, Simonson, Yeoman, Strasser, Stark, Campbell, Fulwiler, Karl, Schave, Gardner, Fox, Hamburg, Stork

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI) 11/25/2015

Janke, Zelda Fae (20 May 1936 - 22 November 2015)

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Zelda Fae (Pigott) Janke, 79, returned to her heavenly home Nov. 22, 2015. Born May 20, 1936, to Harley and Bernice (Downer) Pigott at Loyal, she was one of 13 children. She attended country school at Merryvale and Cozy Corner Schools and graduated from Granton High School in May of 1954. Following graduation, she worked in a factory in Fond du Lac before her marriage. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Neillsville Nov. 6, 1955.

She was married to Elton G. Janke Nov. 12, 1955, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Neillsville. They had four children: Charles (Betty) Janke, Janice (John) Simonson, Ted (Lori) Janke and JoAnn (Douglas) Yeoman. She was blessed with grandchildren: Corrine Simonson, Craig (Braylee) Simonson, Audra (Chad) Strasser, Corey Janke, Travis Janke, Paige Janke, Trevor Yeoman and Samantha Yeoman. She was also blessed with step-grandchildren: Mike (Hannah) Stark, Liz (Will) Campbell and Matt Stark (Jenna Fulwiler). Her grandchildren gave her three beautiful great-grandchildren: Taylor Simonson, Harleigh Simonson and Derek Strasser.

Zelda and Elton farmed in the town of Garden Valley until 1987, when they moved to the new home they built for retirement. Zelda was a member of Alma Center VFW Auxiliary Post 8494, Grace Lutheran Church Ladies Aid, church choir, and North Branch Homemakers. She loved to crochet, cross-stitch, embroider and quilt.

She is survived by her sisters: Gladys Karl, Ada Schave, Doris Garner, Edith Fox and Rosalie Hamburg; and her sister-in-law Jeanette Janke.

She was preceded in death by her siblings: James, Harold, Harlan, Lillian, Emma, Donna and Bonnie; and her brothers-in-law: Richard, Leo and Orin.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015, at Grace Lutheran Church, Alma Center. Pastor Steven Stork will officiate with burial to follow in East lawn Cemetery in Alma Center. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of plants or flowers, memorials may be given to The Alzheimer Association or Grace Lutheran Church. (Written by Zelda)

Online condolences may be left at www.jensenmodjeskifuneralhome.com.