Richard H. Jahnke

On Friday morning, December 22, 2017, God gained an Angel when Dick Jahnke entered Heaven after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. Surrounded by his beloved family, Dick left this life with the dignity and grace by which he lived his entire life.

Dick was born on July 2, 1927 in Appleton, the son of the late Harvey and Lucille (Schulze) Jahnke. At 17, after graduating from Appleton West High School, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base. Dick was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a forty-year employee of the Trane Company.

On June 28, 1952, Dick married Carol Jean Laughrin in Hilbert, Wisconsin. They lived their entire married life in Appleton, raising four wonderful children. Civic duty was always important to Dick; he served as Commander of Johnston-Blessman Post #38 of The American Legion, and was an active member of Forty and Eight. He served as Supervisor of the Outagamie County Board, member of the Airport Committee, President of the Roberts Lake Association, and served in Nashville Township. Always passionate about helping others to enter the engineering and trades profession, Dick was an instructor at technical colleges throughout Wisconsin.

Richard is survived by his loving wife Carol Jahnke of Appleton; four children: Susan Jahnke, Patti (Michael) Garren, Gary (Leann) Jahnke and Jill (Michael) Cardwell; Grandchildren, Matthew, Jonah, Michael, Jack, Maggie, Annie, Max and Katie, and great-grandson Jace. He is also survived by brother-in-law Patrick (Ginny) Laughrin and sisters-in-law Jean Laughrin and Dee Jahnke. Dick was preceded in death by beloved grandchild Megan Sue, his parents, sister Elaine and brothers Keith (Shirley), Neil and Jack (Shirley).

Dick loved hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, reading, playing cards, and cottage life at Roberts Lake. This love will be forever carried on by his grandchildren. A proud Veteran, Dick was thrilled to be a part of Old Glory Honor Flight’s 14th Mission. He always remembered this as one of his finest days.

A funeral liturgy for Dick will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1810 N. McDonald Street in Appleton, with Fr. Gerald R. Falk officiating. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the church on Wednesday from 9:00 am until the time of the service. Dick will be buried in a private ceremony at St. Joseph Cemetery in Appleton.

The family would like to offer their sincere thanks to the staff at Brewster Village for their loving care and kindness. We will never forget how well we were treated. Thank you, also, to Fr. Gerald Falk and Fr. Jim Lucas – your frequent visits and constant prayers will always be remembered by our grateful family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.