Garry Gustav Janke

Garry Gustav Janke, age 91, of Sheboygan passed away on Wednesday, September 28^th in Hortonville.  Garry was born July 13^th 1931, in Sheboygan to Rudy and Edna Janke (Marholz).  Garry grew up at the family meat market “Marholz Meat Market” and attended Sheridan Grade School and graduated from Central High.  Garry continued his education at U.W. extension in Sheboygan.  Garry was married to Donna Mae Rudie on September 6^th 1952, and they recently celebrated 70 years of marriage.  Garry and Donna raised four children, Susan, David, Mary, John.

Garry was employed by Modern Auto Parts of Sheboygan for 41 years which was the majority of his career.  He was blessed with the natural ability of being a true salesman and earned the mutual respect of many customers.  Dad always said, “Treat others the way you want to be treated” and the sales will take care of themselves.  Garry retired in 1993 after many years on the road and was very proud to never be the recipient of a speeding ticket or being involved in any accidents.  He was known for taking his lunch break at local parks or rest areas and falling asleep and waking up three hours later, which put him behind on his sales route.  Somehow, he always made up the time.

Garry was very involved in his community and certainly led by example by giving back to others.  A few of the organizations he was involved with were, the Boy Scouts of America, and retired as the Assistant District Commissioner.  At one time Garry was the Scout Master of the largest troop in the state of Wisconsin.  Sheboygan Outboard Club, Sheboygan Rifle and Pistol Club, National Rifle Assoc, and was a charter member of S.A.L.S.A.  Garry was very involved with numerous congregations in the community.  Our Redeemer, Immanuel, Bethlehem, and Good Shepard Lutheran.  He was in many different capacities in each of those congregations, Board of Elders, School Board, Evangelism committee, Sunday School teacher, and for many years involved in weekly bible study, and took great pride in “Dial A Prayer”.

Garry had a passion for the outdoors, with fishing being his favorite past time.  He was most at ease on the end of the pier with a fly rod in his hand at the family cabin on Crystal Lake, which was part of his life for over 50 years.  His final deer hunting season was at the age of 83 in northern Wisconsin in 2014, which he was very proud of the final buck he harvested.  The memories and stories of the hunting and fishing will never be forgotten or duplicated.  Thank you, dad, for teaching us, and showing interest even when your days in the field had come to a close. 

Garry is survived by Donna, his soul mate of 70 years; three children, David (Sandy) Janke of Mosinee, Mary “Schnickelfritz” (Mike) Schutte of Shawano, and John (Cheryl) Janke of New London, son-in-law Marlow Bentdahl, seven grandchildren, Tahnae Brickner, Brandon Bentdahl, Jennifer (Jon) Rindt, Kristine (Wayne) Hardy, Michael (Melissa) Janke, Tiffany (Matt) Steffen, and Paul Janke and eight great-grandchildren. 

Garry was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Susan Bentdahl and a grandson Adam Bentdahl.

 A Funeral Service for Garry will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday October 19, 2022, at Good Shepard Lutheran Church, 1614 S 23^rd St. in Sheboygan at with Rev. Christian Gugel officiating.  Family will greet visitors from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.  Burial will follow at Lutheran Cemetery. If you are unable to join the family for Garry’s service, it will be live streamed on his obituary page on the funeral home website.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Croix Hospice and the staff at Care Partners who truly cared for our father. Your care, compassion and support meant the world to us.

Prost Dad! We will hoist a Julius Kessler on You.   Cheers.