Karen Elaine (nee Hanson) Jahnke

May 15, 1945 - August 31, 2021

Went home to be with the Lord peacefully, surrounded by her family on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.  Karen was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 15, 1945.  She was the daughter of the late Cecil and Lillian (Velliquette) Hanson.  She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Wayne Jahnke. They would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on September 3rd.  She is also survived by her daughters, Paula (Greg) Robinette and Julie (Tom) Kreitzer.  Karen was blessed with four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; Grandsons: Gregory (Erika) and Noah (Rachel) Robinette and Kyle Kreitzer and granddaughter, Shelby (Raylen) Malboeuf; Great-grandchildren:  Evelyn and Charlotte Robinette and Jacob Malboeuf.  Karen is also survived by her brothers Mickey, Norman, and Alan. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Virgil, Larry, Phil, and Jim.   In January, 1966, Karen met the love of her life on a blind date.  He will tell you he knew she was the one the first time that he saw her through a window.  Mom and Dad met in January, got engaged in April and were married September 3, 1966. Clearly, quick courtships can and do last. During their marriage, mom stayed home with us, worked in a campus ministry office and also for EMU for many years.  She retired from EMU in September 1990.  She spent her retirement years supporting her family in any way that she could. Her family will always treasure the handwritten notes that she would send their way.  Sometimes, these notes were just thoughtful notations that she would make on the top of a newspaper because she saw an article she thought might be of interest to someone.  Other times, she would write letters to share news or encouragement.   Anyone who knew Karen knew that her greatest joys were her grandchildren and in later years, her great-grandchildren. The grandkids remember that she always made sure that they had fun when they were able to go to their Nana’s. They would spend hours playing card games, setting up a post office in order to deliver mail all over her house, or having water fights in the summers. She could be sneaky with that hose! The best memory that they all had was of her making them special waffles in the morning when they got to stay the night.  Her secret waffle recipe will always be a well-kept family secret.  Mom’s greatest gift to her family was that she taught all of us the importance of family and that time spent with each other is precious. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, September 4, 2021, at 11:00 a.m.,  at Janowiak Funeral Home, Ypsilanti with Pastor Clark Cothern, Living Water Community Church officiating.  Burial will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery, Ann Arbor, Michigan.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Service Dog Project (www.servicedogproject.org), a cause that was near and dear to Karen's heart, would be greatly appreciated.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home where the family will receive friends Friday, September 3, 3021 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m.