Lorraine E. (Lenz) JAHNKE

Lorraine E. Jahnke, Delafield, Wisconsin left this earthly life on Friday, August 5, 2022. She was born August 13, 1929 in Racine, daughter of the late Edward and Ada (Johnson) Lenz. Lorraine graduated from Mattoon High School in 1947. On December 20, 1947, she married the late Donald E. Jahnke at Immanuel Lutheran Church in the Town of Morris, Shawano County.

Lorraine was a homemaker and mother of four small children in New London, Wisconsin until 1953 when they moved to Milwaukee, built a house and had two more children. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, needlework, bowling, gardening, traveling, and collecting antiques. Throughout her life, she also enjoyed music, theater, and a good party!

In 1968, Lorraine and Don formed Vac-Air, Inc. in Milwaukee. She was co-owner, vice-president and office manager for 18 years, and traveled to many conventions in the United States. In 1986, they retired and moved back to Mattoon, where they built a new home on the original homestead property. After Donald passed away in 2003, she moved to Delafield to be near her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her one daughter, Sandra (Steven) Schubert, Genesee, three sons, Steven and Dennis Jahnke, Milwaukee, and Duane Jahnke, Jackson; 10 grandchildren, Lauri Ahl, Shannon Luedke, Kevin and Brett Jahnke, David and Donald Broetzmann, Rebecca (Frank) Remenyi, Courtney (Michael) Stangl, Michael (Kristy Olson) Schubert, and Eric Jahnke; and eight great-grandchildren, Kayleen Broetzmann, Ehren and Elli Jahnke, Elayna Luedke, Nayeli and Sawyer Stangl, Breanna Remenyi and Maelyn Olson; her sister Judith (Darrell) Roblee, New Berlin and her brother John (Ann) Lenz, Ocala, FL; other family and friends.

In addition to her husband and parents, Lorraine was preceded in death by her daughters, Sherrill Joy and Barbara Broetzmann; and sister, Linda Wegener.

Visitation will be on Monday, August 8, 2022 from 10:00AM until the time of the funeral services at 11:30AM with lunch to follow at Thelen Funeral Services (W309S4840 Commercial Drive, North Prairie—NW corner of Hwy’s 83 and 59), with Pastor Karen Pahl officiating.

Burial will be held in Woodlawn Cemetery, Mattoon, Wisconsin.

For those unable to attend, or those wishing to share a memory or sign the on-line guest registry, please go to: www.thelenfh.com.  Thelen Funeral Services of North Prairie/Genesee is honored to be assisting the family.  262-392-4251

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