Jerry Janicke

Obituary

Jerry John Janicke was born on March 20, 1947, in LeMars, Iowa. He was the son of John and Alvina (Renken) Janicke. Jerry was baptized at his home (affiliated with St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in LeMars) on April 13, 1947. He was later confirmed in his faith on June 17, 1962 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grove City, Minnesota. He graduated from Grove City High School on June 3, 1965.

Jerry was drafted by the United States Army on August 24, 1966, in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In January 1967 he was sent overseas to Korea as a carrier personnel driver. In Korea, he started as a Private then was promoted to a Private First Class and then to Corporal. Jerry was in Korea for 16 months and then was honorably discharged on May 28, 1968.

On July 22, 1972, Jerry was united in marriage to Gloria Kurth at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills Township, rural Hutchinson, Minnesota. He was blessed with one daughter, his “favorite” as he always said, Kelly. Jerry and Gloria resided in Hutchinson and shared 44 years and 11 months of marriage together.

Jerry worked at 3M as a slitter operator (cut Scotch tape) in Hutchinson for 38 years and retired April 1, 2007. It was a demanding job but he supported his family over abundantly.  

Jerry needed to work and so he started part-time as a custodian at Peace Lutheran Church shortly after retirement and worked there for 9 years and retired in January 2017. He loved to help and loved the people he worked with. Jerry served on the Peace Lutheran Financial Board and also served as a Trustee.

Jerry made plenty of time for travelling with Gloria and made it to 48 states (but didn’t have a desire to hit the last two), they made many trips around Minnesota to see the countryside, loved bus trips and just seeing the United States. His number one travel destination was Canada fishing and truly any fishing trip he could go on with his good friends and he loved every minute of it. Jerry and Gloria also owned a camper on Your Haven Campground for 14 years. Jerry had many friends at the campground and loved to fish and play cards.

Jerry had friends everywhere, he wondered why at many times and even his last days wondered why so many people were there for him. He loved to go to coffee at the Hutch Café, and always greeted people in town with a smile and asked how they were doing. He loved playing cards with Gloria and many couples.

Jerry was a very generous, kind, and awesome father and grandfather. Any activity or family function he was there. He went to so many sporting events for his grandchildren and also school functions. He was his grandson Carter’s number one fan with Gloria. Jerry loved spending time with his son-in-law talking fishing and just talking about outdoors. Kelly was his pride and joy and always was interested in everything she was doing with work and just always concerned that she was doing “great”.

Jerry was a very healthy and happy man, he even went ice fishing in January 2017. He donated 12 gallons of blood over the years. Not until December 2016, he started with pain in his leg. He was diagnosed on February 17, 2017 with Stage IV Lung Cancer. He fought hard to overcome the cancer with his friends and family by his side until he passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, at the age of 70 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Jerry is survived by his:
Wife, Gloria Janicke of Hutchinson, MN;
Daughter, Kelly Seevers and her husband, Gary of Cologne, MN;
Grandchildren, Carter Kienholz, Sydney Kienholz, Hailey Kienholz, Masen Seevers, and Braylen Seevers;
Brother, Marvin Janicke and his wife, Victoria of Maple Grove, MN;
Sister, Darlene Hukriede of Monticello, MN;
Brother-in-Law, Glen Kurth of Stewart, MN;
Nieces, Nephews, many relatives and wonderful friends.

Jerry is preceded in death by his Parents, John and Alvina Janicke; Father and Mother-in-Law, Harry and Eleanor Kurth; Brother-in-Law, Ronald Hukriede; Niece, Kathy Berzins.