Jerald “Jerry” Jahnke

Jerald “Jerry” Jahnke, age 85, of Danube, MN passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale. Funeral services will be on Monday, March 11, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Methodist Church in Danube with Rev. Krey Leesman officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are by Dirks-Blem Funeral Service of Olivia.

Jerald Edward Jahnke was born on May 11, 1938 to Arthur and Serena (Lueck) on the family farm in Troy Township. He was a graduate of Danube High School in 1957 and furthered his education in Le Mars, Iowa to study carpentry. He was a member of the Minnesota National Guard. Jerry relocated to California for a few years working in the construction industry. He returned to Danube and started Jahnke Construction in the early 60’s; working on remodels, new builds, and farm buildings for over 25 years. On April 8, 1972 Jerry was united in marriage to Ruth Negen at the Zion Methodist Church in Danube and their marriage was blessed with their daughter, Amy. Together as a family they enjoyed time spent vacationing, camping, and at their cabin on West Norway Lake. Jerry and Ruth started wintering in Port Charlotte, Florida in 2010 and continued spending half of the year there for over ten years. They were faithful and dedicated members of Zion Methodist Church in Danube. He was involved in his community by volunteering his time with the Danube Lions Club, Danube Fire Department, and Renville County Historical Society, spending a lot of time on the Depot project in 2005. After having his own business, he worked for the City of Danube for many years. He liked the time spent riding motorcycles with friends, deer hunting, fishing, and spearing. He loved to make spearing lures for his friends and family which always caught the biggest fish. Watching his best friend, John Veglahn, in his stock car races brought him much joy. Jerry was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge that he learned from being a ‘Google Guru.’ He always had a story to tell to anyone that would listen; but most who knew him understood that you could only believe half of what he told you. Because of his carpentry background he enjoyed woodworking and tinkering with projects – if something needed fixing, he would “Jerry-Rig” it into working. Jerry was one of a kind that will be remembered for beating to his own drum in life.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Ruth of Renville; his daughter, Amy (Ryan) Tillemans of Willmar; his grandchildren: Branden (Sonja) Jahnke, Addisyn Tillemans, and Austyn Tillemans; his great-granddaughter, Serena Jahnke; his sister, Dorothy Kleinhuizen of Renville; and many nephews, nieces, and other relatives. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Harvey Kleinhuizen; and mother-in-law, Effie Negen.

Blessed Be His Memory