Rob “Robbie” Jahnke, 53, Abrams, died suddenly Monday evening, Nov. 17, 2014, at home near his beloved skid steer. The youngest of eight children was born Oct. 26, 1961, in Green Bay to Roy and M. Maxine (Janssen) Jahnke.
Rob grew up on the family farm in Abrams, where life lessons of hard work, family and strong faith were established. After attending Abrams Elementary School, he attended Oconto Falls public schools where he excelled in track, football and wrestling before graduating from high school with the Class of 1980.
On Nov. 9, 1991, he married Cheryl Ropson in Abrams. Robbie lived in Abrams all of his life. He owned and operated the family farm. Due to health challenges in the past few years, he was able to keep up with his daily farm chores with the unending help of his nephew Jeff Jahnke and brother-in-law Ron Kane.
Rob was a lifelong and active member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Abrams, where he was baptized, confirmed and married. He was also an active and dedicated member of the Oconto Falls FFA Alumni. Robbie will be fondly remembered for his great sense of humor, quick wit, telling a good story and his love of being with people, especially his large family.
Survivors are his wife of 23 years, Cheryl Jahnke, Abrams; their daughter, Megan, at home; six siblings, Lyle (Donna) Jahnke, Jim (Karen) Jahnke, Carol (Ron) Kane, all of Abrams, Dick Jahnke, Oconto Falls, Steve (Loni) Jahnke, Pensaukee, Roger Jahnke and sister-in-law, Sharon Jahnke, both of Green Bay; his goddaughter, niece and caretaker, Billie Jo and her daughter, Nellie Jo, Abrams; his in-laws, Roland and Carol Ropson, New Franken; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Debbie (John) Falish, Denmark, Cindy (Ken) DeJardin, New Franken, Kevin (Vickey) Ropson, Oregon, Todd (Diane) Ropson, Green Bay; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, whom he was so fond of; as well as numerous good and special friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Kenny.
Visitation will be held from 3-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Jones Funeral Service, 107 S. Franklin St., Oconto Falls. Visitation will continue after 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at Calvary Lutheran Church, 5716 Main St., Abrams, until the time of service. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Andrew DeGier officiating. Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Oconto Falls FFA Alumni or the Oconto Falls Wrestling Club.
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