Obituary

Edna Janke-Jorgenson passed away peacefully on March 30, 2017, three days before her 105th birthday, at Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center.

She was born April 2, 1912, in Chester, Mont., the first child of David and Mary (Heimbigner) Heimbigner. The family homesteaded in the Chester area for several years. When Edna was three, they moved to the Ritzville area where her father farmed. They then lived in the Odessa, Lamona and Batum areas, and Puyallup, for various lengths of time, returning to Odessa permanently in 1927. Edna left school after completing eighth grade, to care for her younger sisters and brothers. She also hired out to do housework.

She met her future husband, Reuben Janke, at a dance in Odessa, and they married on September 1, 1931 in Spokane. They lived in Odessa, Cashmere and Sprague before settling permanently in Odessa. They bought their home in Odessa in 1945, and Edna lived there 69 years before she reluctantly moved to the nursing home.

Edna and Reuben had three children: Merle Janke, DeLila Janke Huff and Allen Janke. Edna and Reuben were married 45 years when Rueben passed on in 1976. Edna married Morgan Jorgenson December 17, 1981 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and they lived in Edna's home in Odessa. Edna and Morgan were married 22 years when Morgan passed on in 2004.

Edna was baptized as an infant in the Lutheran Church in Chester, Mont. and was confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Odessa, where she was a member all her adult life.

Edna was a homemaker who took great pride in her home. She loved caring for her yard and always kept it looking like a park. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting and kept everyone in the family supplied with afghans, doilies and dish clothes. If invited, she was always ready and eager to go gambling or shopping. In her lifetime she went from driving her siblings to school by horse and wagon, to flying in jet planes. Edna is survived by her son Allen (Sue) Janke, Ephrata, daughter-in-law Coleen Janke, Odessa, step-daughter JoAnn (Bob) Dunlap, Spokane Valley, nine grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, numerous great and step-great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, son Merle Janke, daughter DeLila Huff, step-son Lane Jorgenson, step-daughter Carol Jorgenson Donovan, both parents, brothers Leo and Lamar Heimbigner, sisters Helen Els, Dorothy Beck, Ella Walter and Mildred Wilskie.

Private inurnment services will be held at 10 a.m., April 12, 2017, at the Odessa Cemetery. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m., April 12, 2017 at Christ Lutheran Church, Odessa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church, Odessa, WA 99159, Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center, Box 368, Odessa, WA 99159, or the charity of one's choice. Please sign the online guestbook at http://www.stratefuneralhome.com. Strate Funeral Home in Davenport is in charge of arrangements.