Nicholas Jahnke

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Nicholas “Nick” Jahnke 75, of Sterling, ND, who was our wonderful Husband, Father, and Grandfather who passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of 10-30-25 with his wife, daughter, and granddaughter at his side after a brief illness.

He was born in Fargo to Kenneth & Ruth Roden Jahnke. He joined an older brother & sister! He grew up in Casselton, graduated from Casselton High School where he enjoyed playing football and getting into trouble every once in a while.

He went to work for the Great Northern Railroad right out of high school for a short time till he enlisted in the Navy in June of ‘69 and served on the USS Girdley ship (DLG-27) till Feb. 1973 when he was honorably discharged. He went back to work for the BNSF railroad for 40-plus years. Then retired and enjoyed spending time with his friends and his Bud Light. He enjoyed fishing & hunting with his hunting dogs whom he loved dearly!

He married Patricia (Patty) Stroh Tappen, ND, his lifelong wife of 48 1/2years on March 4th, 1977. To this union one daughter was born, Nicole Ann. In 2005 he got a granddaughter who was his pride & joy Tobie. He was proud of his family.

He is survived by his wife Patty, daughter Nicole and granddaughter Tobie, his in-laws Dennis & Yvonne Fike, Karen Bodvig, Tammie & Don Meidinger, Shannon & Bruce Thorsness, Dean & Twyla Stroh, Shelly Puklich (Brent Job), Kent Stroh, (Thi Trang Nguen), and many nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents Kenneth & Ruth, his brother Kenny, sister Debbie, and many aunts & uncles. His mother-in-law and his father-in-law Harold and Delores Stroh, his brother-in-law Rodney Bodvig, and Patty’s grandparents and his furry hunting buddies.

As Nick always said: “Ten or twelve more and I’m out of here!”

Private services & burial will be held at a later date. There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place. A time of sharing will be at Flash’s Place in Sterling on Nov. 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

Memorials can be made to Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue P.O. Box 7364 Bismarck, 58507 or St. Jude’s’s Children’s Hospital

Rest in peace, my Nick, you will be loved & missed forever!