Lyle E. Jahnke

Lyle Edward Jahnke, 72, Abrams, died peacefully Friday afternoon, March 3, 2023 at home with his loving wife at his side following a lengthy battle with PSP. 

The oldest of eight children was born August 16, 1950 to Roy and Maxine (Janssen) Jahnke.  Lyle grew up on the family farm in Abrams and attended Oconto Falls Public Schools, graduating from high school with the class of 1968.  He went on to attend NCTI in Wausau in 1970. He was drafted in the US Army and proudly served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged. On June 28, 1975 he married Donna Lantinen.

Lyle was a gifted mechanic and was always helping local farmers with repair needs. He especially enjoyed working on Oliver tractors. He was employed at Fabco Equipment in Green Bay for many years. As a lifelong member of Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church in Abrams, he served on church council. He was a member of Abrams American Legion Post #523. Lyle’s grandchildren were the light of his life and above all, he loved the time he was able to spend with them, including attending their school and sporting events until his health declined.

Survivors are his wife, Donna Jahnke, Abrams; their two sons, Jeff (Jessie) Jahnke, Abrams; Shaun (Jennifer Whittemore) Jahnke, DePere; three grandchildren, Norah, Anna and Grant Jahnke; in-laws, Thomas and Florence Lantinen, Menasha; four siblings, Jim (Karen) Jahnke, Carol (Ron) Kane, all of Abrams; Dick Jahnke, Oconto Falls; Steve (Loni) Jahnke, Pensaukee; two sisters-in-law, Sherrie Jahnke, Green Bay; Cheryl Lowe, Wrightstown; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Vivian (Backchul) Shin, Chicago; Mary (David) Wells, Merrimac; Sheryl (Tim) DeHart and Bette (Gary) Wilz, all of Appleton and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Ken, Robbie and Roger Jahnke.

Visitation will be held after 11:00 AM Friday, March 10, 2023 at Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church in Abrams until the time of service.  Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Friday at the church with the Rev. Matthew Stuebs officiating.  Burial, with military honors, will follow in Brookside Cemetery in the Town of Pensaukee.  Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls is serving the Jahnke family.