Rev. Martin P. Janke

Martin P. Janke was born on October 12, 1929, in New Ulm, Minnesota, the second son of Professor Richard J. and Lisette K. (Saxmann) Janke. He was reborn and became a child of God when he was baptized on October 27, 1929. He was instructed in the saving truths of Holy Scripture in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran School and professed his faith in the Triune God and Jesus Christ as his Savior when he was confirmed on April 18, 1943. Pastor Janke attended high school at Martin Luther Academy in New Ulm. In 1951 he graduated from Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisconsin and continued his education at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wisconsin. His vicar year was spent at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. After graduating in 1955, he was assigned to serve as Assistant Pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. On June 12, 1955 he was ordained and installed into the pastoral ministry at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. On June 26, 1955 he married Marie Kappelmann of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The Lord blessed the marriage with four children: Paul, Lynne, James, and Karen. In addition to his service at St. John’s Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Pastor Janke served from 1958 to 1965 as pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Roscoe, South Dakota, and from 1965 until 1980 as pastor of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He served at Faith until 1980, when he was called to serve as pastor at David’s Star Lutheran Church in Jackson. Throughout his ministry Pastor Janke served in a variety of offices, including the WELS World Mission Board and Commission on Inter-Church Relations. But above all Pastor Janke was a pastor and shepherd of souls—a Seelsorger, as they say in the German language he loved so much. Gifted by God with a powerful voice he used it to preach the riches of God’s glorious grace in Christ Jesus and to lead the saints he served in singing the Savior’s praise. After suffering a stroke in 1995 which prevented him from preaching anymore, he served as David’s Star’s visitation pastor until his retirement in December of 2014 after 60 years of service in the gospel ministry. Pastor Janke is survived by his wife, Marie; his four children: Pastor Paul Janke and his wife Carol (Rusch) who are serving at St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Watertown, South Dakota; Lynne Mathiak who is a member of David’s Star and lives in Slinger, Wisconsin; Pastor James Janke and his wife Ann (Holtz) Janke who are serving at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Janesville, Wisconsin; and Karen and her husband Pastor Randy Hunter, who are serving at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Middleton, Wisconsin. Pastor Janke leaves behind twelve grandchildren and eleven great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers: Pastor Philip Janke and Fredrick Janke. On December 10, 2017, our gracious God summoned the soul of Pastor Janke from this world of sorrow to himself in heaven having granted him a time of grace in this world of 88 years, one month, and 28 days. His body will be laid to rest in David’s Star Cemetery in Jackson, there to await the resurrection to eternal life that will take place when Jesus comes again in glory. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at David’s Star Lutheran Church in Jackson on Friday, December 15. Pastors Kurt Loescher and Michael Woldt will officiate. Visitation will be held prior to the service at David’s Star beginning at 11:30 on Friday.In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial gifts be directed to David’s Star Lutheran Church, WELS World Mission, or WELS Ministerial Education.