Norma Jahnke

Norma L. Jahnke, age 91, of Parkers Prairie, died Friday, October 6, 2017, at St. William’s Living Center in Parkers Prairie.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church in North Effington Township with Rev. Roger Krebs and Rev.  Bruce Laabs officiating.  Music is provided by organist, Ivy Christensen and vocalists, Rev. Clark Jahnke and Greg Wachter.   Burial will take place at the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Lind Family Funeral Home in Parkers Prairie and continuing one hour prior to the service.

Norma Louise was born September 21, 1926, to Rev. Herman and Marie (Kallsen) Laabs in Aniwa, Wisconsin.  She was baptized October 3, 1926, at Zion Lutheran Church in Aniwa and confirmed May 26, 1940, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mayville, Wisconsin.  She attended a Parochial Lutheran Elementary and Public High School in Mayville.  Following her education, she worked at a canning company in Theresa, Wisconsin.  Norma moved to Parkers Prairie in November of 1948 and worked at Harry’s Café.  She was united in marriage to Darold Jahnke on June 4, 1950, at Zion Lutheran Church, North Effington by her dad, Rev. Herman H. Laabs.  Following their marriage, they farmed together and raised their family.  Norma worked at the Parkers Prairie Elementary School kitchen as second cook from 1975 until her retirement in 1995. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Young People’s Society, Sunday School Teacher, Choir member and active in Ladies Fellowship.  She enjoyed watching Minnesota Vikings Football and Twins Baseball games.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Darold; brothers, Paul, Ernst, Armin and Herman; and sisters, Irma, Doris and Ruth.

Norma is survived by her five children, Michael (Debra) Jahnke of Parkers Prairie, Allan (Sue) Jahnke, Mark (Michele) Jahnke, and James (Margee) Jahnke all of Alexandria, and Julie (Chris) Nelson of Minneapolis; three brothers, Arnold (Florence) Laabs, Norbert (Louise) Laabs, and Waldo (Lois) Laabs all of Florida; sister-in-law, Ginny Laabs of Arizona; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Anderson, Patti Jahnke, Jay (Paige) Jahnke, Ross (Jessica) Jahnke, Jessica Johnson, Becky Jahnke, and Jade Nelson; and 10 great-grandchildren, Cohen, Cail, Quin, Hope, Taylah, Kenley, Bryn, Emily, Joshua and Jenna; and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Jay Jahnke, Ross Jahnke, Dave O’Brien, Jacque Breman, Jared Hartwell and Rob Austin.  Honorary pallbearers are the remainder of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.