Mark S. Janke

Mark S. Janke, 69 of Lake Mills, died peacefully on Thursday May 2, 2024, at his home.
Mark was born on January 3, 1955, in Livonia, MI, the son of Fredrick and Nadine (Meyer) Janke. The family moved to Waterloo area in Mark's youth, as his father was called to serve as the principal for St. John's Lutheran School. He graduated from Lakeside High School in 1973 and later attended Madison Area Technical College, where he earned a printing degree. Mark was employed as a printing administrator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a job he was very proud of and where he worked for over 40 years. On June 14, 2009, he married Jan Hill at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in Waterloo. Mark was a longtime and active member of St. John's. He served on the church council, building committee, counted money, and was the AV Tech for many years. He also looked forward to score keeping at St. John's and working the chain gang at Lakeside Lutheran High School football games. Most recently, Mark and Jan were members of St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church of Lake Mills. Farmall Tractors were a major interest and he would say: "If it ain't red, keep it in the shed." He was a handy guy and was a talented small engine mechanic. He refused to pay people to do the tasks he or his sons could do. He didn't sit still long and had plenty of work for his sons and himself, whether shoveling in the winter or mowing many lawns in the summer, there was no rest for the weary. Dart ball tournaments were always looked forward to and Mark enjoyed camping with his family in years past. His love of Western Movies has been inherited by generations and his work ethic and Christian service was admired by many. He will be missed.
He is survived by: his wife Jan Janke of Lake Mills; sons Michael (Charissa) Janke of Bonney Lake, WA and Matthew (Samantha) Janke of Jefferson; step-daughters Maria (James) Kennedy of Frisco, TX and Sonya (Thad) Fredrick of Madison; 11 grandchildren; siblings David (Michelle) Janke of Brownsville and Debra (Chris) Kayser of DeForest; and a sister-in-law Susan Janke of Wisconsin Rapids. Mark is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Thomas Janke.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00PM on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church of Waterloo with Rev. Timothy Nass of St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church of Lake Mills and Rev. James Adomeit of St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church of Waterloo presiding. Visitation will be on Thursday from 10:00AM until the time of service at the church.
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