Monroe William Janke, Jr.

Monroe William Janke, Jr 83 of Clifton, TX went to be with the Lord on the morning of March 12, 2023.  He was born on February 11, 1940 in West, Texas to Monroe and Wilma (Uptomor) Janke Sr.  He was raised in the Elm Mott, Gerald and Waco area and graduated from Connally High School 1958.  After high school he drove trucks for the construction company building the first part of Scott and White Hospital in Temple.  He worked for 2 years as an electrician in Waco under IBEW  Local.  He began working for Western Electric Company in 1962 in their installation department.  He attended many of their company schools in Dallas, Houston and Columbus, Ohio.  He remained with Western Electric until 1983, during the phone company break up when he transferred to South Western Bell (AT&T) he remained with them until his retirement in 2000.  

On April 4, 1970 he was united in marriage with Sandra Jean Aaneneson in Clifton, TX.  They resided in Waco until 1974 when they built their dream home in Clifton where they remained.  They had one son, Gregory Shane, he married his wife, Tina Dvorak in 2004.  In 2006, he received his most precious gift ever when his grandson, Chase Gregory was born.  Monroe held many names and titles in his life: father, husband,brother, cousin, father-in-law but the name that meant the most to him was Poppy.  Chase was the light of his life and he was Chase’s “Person”, they worked on mini bikes and cars together.  Chase and Monroe would ride around town, Chase in his carseat, and Monroe behind the wheel of his 1968 Mustang.  They had a bond that nothing could break.  In the last year you could still see them around town. The only difference is that Chase was doing the driving and Poppy was enjoying the ride.  Chase and Monroe also enjoyed baseball, Monroe especially enjoyed watching his grandson play.  There wasn’t an event in Chase’s life that Monroe didn’t attend while his health allowed it and after that he was always there by phone or video to watch and hear all about it.  Monroe enjoyed woodworking and collecting and restoring classic automobiles with his son and grandson.  

Monroe is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sandra, his son Greg and wife, Tina and grandson, Chase. One brother, Maurice Janke and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Monroe William Janke, Sr. and Wilma Uptomor Janke Kirkpatrick, his in-laws George Sanders and Lillie Aaneeson, a sister Janet Janke Watkins and her husband Don.

Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5-7pm at Clifton Funeral Home and the funeral service will be at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Norse at 10am Friday, burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Clifton.  Pallbearers are Clinton Albrecht, Richard Lee Wilshire, Todd Townsend, Mark Dvorak, Jason Murphy and Kenneth Omnenson.  Honorary pallbearers are Chase Janke, Colton Albrecht, Conner Albrecht, and Sean Albrecht. Service will be performed by Pastor Ryan Pederson, Erica Omenson and Patsy Squyres will provide the music and John Gerik will read the scriptures.   

Donations may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Norse.

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