Edna W. Jahnke

Edna was born March 12, 1907, near New Salem, ND, to parents Herman and Annie Freise Rasch. She attended a rural school until she was 12. The family then moved to New Salem, ND, and Edna graduated from high school there in 1925. She then attended Dickinson Normal College to obtain her teaching certificate and spent several years teaching in one room rural schools.On August 28, 1928, Edna married Louis C. Jahnke. They continued to live in New Salem until 1945. They then moved to Dickinson, ND. Louie passed away in March, 1967. This was Edna's home until 2000 when she moved to Moorhead where she first resided in Linden Tree Circle and then the Lutheran Home at Eventide. While living in Dickinson, Edna was involved in many activities including the Homemaker's Club and the St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary. She was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Dickinson for over 50 years. Edna enjoyed a variety of activities and was still enjoying many of them at the age of 103. These activities included playing many different card games, reading several books a week, watching her favorite team, the Twins, win and most of all visiting with friends and family. She also enjoyed cooking, baking and crocheting. Edna was the Matriarch of the Jahnke family and a source of love and guidance to her family. We were blessed to have her with us for 103 years.Edna is survived by two sons, Leonard and his wife Florence, Edina, MN, and Emery and his wife Ann, Detroit Lakes, MN. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, David Janet Jahnke, Deb Tom Merten, Janel Rod Swenson, Darryl Debra Jahnke, Carol Dan Labernik, Mike Lisa Jahnke, Donna John Rickeman, Jane Jeff Gauthier, Jody Steve Hsu; twenty one great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and her niece Mimi Biskus.She was preceded in death by her husband, Louie; grandson, Paul Jahnke; great-grandson, Joshua Dahmus; parents, Herman and Annie Rasch; sister, Dorothea; and brother, Hugo.