Martin Janke

Martin Janke, 100, Steele, died peacefully at his home on December 24, 2009. Services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Steele, with Rev. Jacob DeBoer officiating. Burial will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery, Steele. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm Monday at Eastgate Steele Memorial Chapel, Steele. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Martin was born to Reinhard and Hulda Schwartzrock Janke on July 16, 1909, in Evergreen Township, MN. He moved to North Dakota with his parents and siblings in October 1919, to a homestead nine miles south of Steele. He attended country school and there met the love of his life, Bertha Schock. They were married on September 26, 1929, and celebrated 73 years of marriage. Martin and Bertha started farming at the beginning of the Dust Bowl years and began their family at the beginning of the worst economic disaster of the century. Martin often told his family that he farmed for 17 years before he got a decent crop, but because he loved the land, he persevered and farmed for 60 years before retiring in 1989. Martin was a man of strong faith and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Steele. He was always ready for a game of pinochle and was a member of both the Golden Age and Active Seniors. He especially enjoyed reminiscing about days gone by with friends and family and enjoyed spending time with and watching his great great-grandchildren. He is survived by his son, Marlyn Kay Janke, Steele, and daughter, Irene Ringdahl, Peoria, AZ; 13 grandchildren, Deborah Boyd Addy, Bismarck, Muriel DeVore, Bismarck, Marty Sandi Janke, Steele, Marla Allan Hagen, Kuna, ID, Cynthia Abbott, Fargo, Mary Robert Rohrich, Steele, Rhonda Hansen, Key Largo, FL, Beth Dubiel, Peoria, AZ, David Renae Hansen, Moorhead, MN, Brian Annette Ringdahl, Peoria, AZ, Kim LaFramboise, Bismarck, Darin Vogel, Steele, Heidi Paul Strande, Thompson, and 18 great grandchildren and nine great great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Martin was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha in 2003; his daughter, DoLores in 1979; his two sons-in-law, Ken Ringdahl in 2003 and Vernon Hansen in 2007; his two brothers, Hugo and Emil and his four sisters, Olga Molineaux, Eda Werner, Freida Nunn and Martha Nerby.

Martin Janke

July 16, 1909 - December 24, 2009