Kenneth Lee Janicke

1940 - 2024

Kenneth Lee Janicke, 83

Kenneth Lee Janicke passed away peacefully at his home in Talent Oregon on April 17,2024. He was born November 11, 1940, in Chinook, MT to Frank and Evelyn (Johnson) Janicke. He served in the Navy from 1958 – 1963 as a quartermaster on the USS Frank E. Evans. He was very proud of his service to his country. Ken was a wood craftsman, a carpenter, and a concrete finisher who worked on the Libby Dam in the early 70's. He later became a drug and alcohol counselor working in Libby MT, Spokane WA, and then retiring from the VA Domiciliary in White City, OR in 2000.

In 1960 he married his first wife, Linda McFarland while in the service in Long Beach. He became a father when his son Michael Harold was born in 1965. Ken and Linda divorced in 1971 and he moved back to MT. He met his second wife Garie Dutton in Libby. He became a stepfather to Bill, Jeff, and Tracy. He lost Garie to colon cancer in 2004. While working in White City, he came to know his friend and colleague Judith Kurinsky. They married in 2013 at their home in Talent OR.

Ken was predeceased by his parents Frank and Evelyn; his siblings, Wayne Janicke, Frank Janicke Jr., Arlene Wheat; and wife Garie Janicke. His memory will be forever held in the hearts of his surviving family: His wife Judith Kurinsky, his children, Mike Janicke, Bill (Kim) Dutton, Jeff (Mechelle) Dutton, Tracy (Dennis) Dalby, Salome (Troy) Malos, Deborah Taylor; his 7 grandchildren, Katie, Eric, Nicole, Avery, Collin, Michaela, Joshua; and many nieces and nephews.

Ken was laid to rest April 22, 2024, at the Eagle Point National Cemetery in Jackson County, Oregon. He will be remembered as a loving husband and father, a teacher, a mentor, and a trusted friend.