Bennie G Jahnke Sr.

Bennie George Jahnke, Sr., age 87, died December 22, 2015 at Good Samaritan Society in Jackson, Minnesota. Memorial Celebration of Life will be held January 9, 2016 at 10:30AM at Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Blue Earth. Visitation will be January 8, 2016 from 2:00 4:00 PM at Patton Funeral Home. Burial will be in the spring of 2016. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com.Bennie was born July 22, 1928 to Benjamin and Agnes (Matteson) Jahnke in Blue Earth, MN. He grew up in Blue Earth and worked at the Blue Earth Lumber Yard under Nick Jakobe until he retired in the 1990''s. Bennie loved fishing, playing pool and wood working, including making wood bears, cradles, ducks, wishing well, bird houses and rocking horses. He married Loretta Smith on August 25, 1951 at the Methodist Chapel in Blue Earth. Loretta died September 25, 1978. Bennie married Viola Betels on October 31, 1979 in South Dakota. Viola died November 15, 2001.Bennie is survived by sons Bennie G. Jahnke, Jr. of Moose Lake, MN, Richard (Marlene) Jahnke of Elmore MN, daughters, Kathy (Tom) Cobb of Windom, MN Sharon K. (Verlus) Burkhart of Fairmont, MN, Susan (Harold) Sullivan of Bricelyn, MN, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great grandchildren and step great grandchildren, brother, Lorman (Bev) Jahnke of Elmore and brother-in-law, Lloyd Hinton of Blue Earth and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his wives, Loretta and Viola, parents, brothers, George Sr., Ralph Sr., and Larry, sisters, Anna Ferguson and Helen Hinton, son-in-laws Ron Mollenhauer and Tom Cobb.