Sandra J. Janke

Sandra J. Janke

Oct. 28, 1938 – Nov. 4, 2023

Passed away peacefully on Nov. 4, 2023 in Spokane, Wash. Sandy was born Oct. 28, 1938 in Glenwood, Colo. to Benjamin and Mildred Wright. She was the oldest of three children. In 1948 the family moved to Fruitland, Wash, then moved to Davenport in 1950 where she graduated from Davenport High School in 1959 Sandy married Melvin (Mel) Janke on Aug. 27, 1955 at the Hitching Post Chapel in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Calling Davenport home, they started their family raising their three children. Sandy and Mel recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary together. Sandy was a member of the Davenport Chapter of International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, she would become a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts Den 4. Later in life she worked at the Davenport Clinic, Brooks Drug Store, the Davenport City Pool and she volunteered reading books to children at the Davenport Elementary School. Sandy enjoyed spending Sundays picnicking, boating water skiing and relaxing at Porcupine Bay. Where she also loved to camp every summer with family and friends vying for the coveted waterfront campsite. She belonged to a few different bowling leagues and always looked forward to going on bowling tournament road trips with the gang. They would bowl all across Wash. State and even down to Reno and Las Vegas.

She really enjoyed watching sports, from the Seahawks to the Spokane Chiefs Hockey Team, where they held season tickets for a few years. But, her favorite pastime was watching the Gonzaga Men's Basketball Team. You could say she was a true Zag fan.

She entered many community fun runs and Bloomsday a time or two. She was an avid reader and enjoyed gardening. You could always find Sandy at one of her grandkids dance recitals, school functions, hockey games, soccer matches, basketball, volleyball, baseball or football games, pageants or plays. But the most precious time spent was with her grandkids baking cookies, having a sleepover and playing many, many rounds of the card game Spit on Your Neighbor. Sandy is survived by her husband of 68 yrs. Mel at the home, three children Mike (Patti) Janke, Doug (Juliann) Janke and Jill (Rudy) Franco along with nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Her brother Steve Wright and brother-in-law Arthur Deppner and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Sharon Deppner and niece Cindy Rushton.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Chapel of Strate Funeral Home, 505 10th St. Davenport, Wash. Memorials may be made to the Davenport Swimming Pool or the Davenport Library. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.strate-funeral.com for the Janke family. STRATE FUNERAL HOME, Davenport, Wash. is caring for the family.