1931
Leona
2015
Leona Janke
August 9, 1931 — August 30, 2015
JANKE, Leona Schmidt
Schoolcraft, MI
Leona S. Janke, age 84, died August 30, 2015 after an extended illness, peacefully in the bedroom of the farmhouse she loved. She was born August 9, 1931 to Eduard and Olga (Behnke) Schmidt in Dowagiac, Michigan. The eldest child of six, she was raised on her parents' 380 acre Cass County farm. She graduated from Dowagiac High School as valedictorian. She initially attended the University of Michigan to study music but graduated with a B.S. degree in Pharmacy; she worked for many years as a registered pharmacist. In middle age she earned a Master of Arts degree in ceramics from WMU, graduating as a distinguished university scholar. A gifted potter, her clay works and "teapots" were exhibited locally, nationally and internationally. Leona was an avid photographer and volunteered her time to the Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association. She also loved tennis and played competitively for many years. "Oma" Janke loved bridge and played regularly. Her intellectual interests were broad and included an intense interest in genealogy and European history. She was a life member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, serving many years on its board of directors. She was also on the board of directors at the Schoolcraft Community Library. On September 15th, 1956 she was married to Dr. Robert A. Janke who survives. She is also survived by four children, Beth, Tom, Ellen and Rob, and by 10 grandchildren. Visitation will be held 4-7pm Thursday, September 3, 2015 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. Services will be held Friday, September 4, 2015, at 11:00am at Zion Lutheran Church, 2122 Bronson Blvd., with Pastor Timothy Seeber, officiating. Private interment in Schoolcraft Cemetery.
**CHARITIES**
Zion Lutheran Church
2122 Bronson Blvd.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 382-2360
www.zionkazoo.org /
Schoolcraft Community Library
330 N Centre St.
Schoolcraft, MI 49087
(269) 679-5959
www.schoolcraftlibrary.org /
American Historical Society of Germans from Russia
631 D Street
Lincoln, Nebraska 68502
(402)-474-3363
www.ahsgr.org/index.htm
3926 S. 9th St.
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49009
2122 Bronson Blvd.
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49008
Schoolcraft, MI
Leona S. Janke, age 84, died August 30, 2015 after an extended illness, peacefully in the bedroom of the farmhouse she loved. She was born August 9, 1931 to Eduard and Olga (Behnke) Schmidt in Dowagiac, Michigan. The eldest child of six, she was raised on her parents' 380 acre Cass County farm. She graduated from Dowagiac High School as valedictorian. She initially attended the University of Michigan to study music but graduated with a B.S. degree in Pharmacy; she worked for many years as a registered pharmacist. In middle age she earned a Master of Arts degree in ceramics from WMU, graduating as a distinguished university scholar. A gifted potter, her clay works and "teapots" were exhibited locally, nationally and internationally. Leona was an avid photographer and volunteered her time to the Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association. She also loved tennis and played competitively for many years. "Oma" Janke loved bridge and played regularly. Her intellectual interests were broad and included an intense interest in genealogy and European history. She was a life member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, serving many years on its board of directors. She was also on the board of directors at the Schoolcraft Community Library. On September 15th, 1956 she was married to Dr. Robert A. Janke who survives. She is also survived by four children, Beth, Tom, Ellen and Rob, and by 10 grandchildren. Visitation will be held 4-7pm Thursday, September 3, 2015 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. Services will be held Friday, September 4, 2015, at 11:00am at Zion Lutheran Church, 2122 Bronson Blvd., with Pastor Timothy Seeber, officiating. Private interment in Schoolcraft Cemetery.
**CHARITIES**
Zion Lutheran Church
2122 Bronson Blvd.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 382-2360
www.zionkazoo.org /
Schoolcraft Community Library
330 N Centre St.
Schoolcraft, MI 49087
(269) 679-5959
www.schoolcraftlibrary.org /
American Historical Society of Germans from Russia
631 D Street
Lincoln, Nebraska 68502
(402)-474-3363
www.ahsgr.org/index.htm
Visitation
SEP 3. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Langeland Family Funeral Homes - Westside Chapel3926 S. 9th St.
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49009
Service
SEP 4. 11:00 AM
Zion Lutheran Church2122 Bronson Blvd.
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49008
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