Helen “Kay” Janke, age 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024 in St. Joseph, MI.
Kay was born on Sept. 16, 1936 to Wells and Helen (King) Kaiser in Benton Harbor. She graduated from Eau Claire H.S. in 1953 and then graduated from South Bend College of Business. Kay married her high school sweetheart, Elden Janke, in 1960. Early in their marriage, Kay and Elden enjoyed going square and polka dancing and playing Canasta.
Kay worked at Martin Bros. Mill and Foundry Supply as the office manager and bookkeeper. She later worked at H&R Block Premium as a knowledgeable tax preparer.
Kay enjoyed giving back to the community by volunteering her time as a 4-H Leader for 45-plus years as well as being the Cribbs 4-H club coordinator and a member of the 4-H Leaders Council. She was also a longtime volunteer at the Berrien County Youth Fair helping in the Historical Barn, Ice Sales, and volunteering as an usher in the Grandstand for many years. Kay especially enjoyed her time serving in the Craft Barn for 40-plus years. Additionally, Kay was a former member of the Van Buren Flywheelers Club and a former Board Member of the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association in Portland, IN.
When not volunteering, Kay enjoyed arts and crafts, camping, and gardening. She was a talented basket weaver and taught weaving to many 4-H members. Kay attended several Association of Michigan Basket Weavers conventions and also collected antiques, cookbooks, and recipes. She also enjoyed collecting stones and beach glass along Lake Michigan. Kay loved spending time with her family and attending her daughters’ and granddaughters’ school events. Kay’s journey through life was marked by an unwavering commitment to her loved ones, and she will be dearly missed.
Kay is survived by her two daughters, Sue (John) Griffith of Bainbridge Twp. and Sheryl Janke of Kalamazoo; two granddaughters, Kristina (Travis) Wiltzius of Escanaba, MI and Kelsey Griffith of Bainbridge Twp.; great-grandchildren, Waylon and Jolene Wiltzius; brothers-in-law, Neal Janke of Mishawaka, IN and Andrew Robinson of Lapeer, MI; nieces, Laura (Robert) Kramek of Dearborn Heights, MI and Lynne (Christopher) Markiewicz of Jackson, MI and special basket weaver friend Bonnie Hauser of Temperance, MI.
Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Elden Janke; parents, Wells and Helen Kaiser; sisters, Carol Kaiser and Adele Archer; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Robinson.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Provision Living at St. Joseph. The staff will remain in our hearts for providing exceptional care for Kay.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3713 Naomi Rd., Sodus with Pastor Robert Duehlmeyer Jr. officiating. Visitation with the family will take place Thursday, Oct. 3 from 5–8 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Sodus, Berrien County Youth Fair – Craft Department, or Alzheimer’s Association.
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