James Robert Johnke

James "Jim" Robert Johnke Age 82, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away surrounded by family on November 3, 2021. Jim was born and raised in Centerville, SD. He was the oldest of six children born to Frances and Anna Mae (Frinkman) Johnke. After graduating from Centerville in 1956, Jim moved to Bloomington, MN, and started working for Blacktop Services. During this time, Jim met the love of his life, RuthAnn Kester. They were married in 1958. Jim and RuthAnn eventually moved to a farmstead south of Prior Lake, MN where they raised their six children. Jim loved working the land, raising livestock, gardening, and teaching his children about a hard day's work. Jim worked in the construction industry for most of his life. After retiring from the 49ers Union he picked up driving school bus for Prior Lake Schools. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. Papa Johnke, as his grandchildren called him, was known for his sense of humor, gentle heart, and love of sweets. Many happy memories were made on family vacations in Northern Minnesota and time spent watching Sunday afternoon Minnesota Vikings games. Jim fought a long and tough battle with dementia and eventually moved to Betty's Harbor Memory Care (New Perspectives) in Prior Lake where he quickly became known as a gentle man of few words. His family is so thankful for the many loving caregivers that helped make his last two years of life as comfortable as possible. Jim is preceded in death by his parents Francis and Anna Mae, siblings: Leroy Johnke, Loretta Trenerry, and Dix Johnke, and daughter-in-law: Chris(Mark) Johnke. Jim is survived by loving wife Ruth Ann, six children; Mark Johnke, Kim (Craig) Smith, Kari (Mike) Henzler, Kelley (Bruce) Gerdes, Steve (Kathy) Johnke, Jenney (Darren) Enright. Fifteen Grandchildren; Bobby Johnke, Charles (Mindy) Johnke, Kori (Santino) Reynolds, Kyle Smith, Hillary (Scott) Buckingham, Lucas Henzler, Alyssa Henzler, Maria (Matt) Kearney, Eric (Allie) Gerdes, Logan (Abigail) Johnke, Riley Johnke, Carson Johnke, Jake (Chelsea) Frechette, Nick Enright, and Tanner Frechette. Five Great Grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Brother Frank (Karen) Johnke and Sister Susan (Dean) Forbes. Sister-in-laws Cheri Johnke and Vickie DeLay. A Celebration of Life will be held at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 N. Berens Rd NW, Prior Lake, MN 55372, November 12th. Visitation 9-11 am, Service 11 am.

Tributes

James Robert Johnke

November 22, 1938 - November 3, 2021

Tributes

James Robert Johnke

November 22, 1938 - November 3, 2021

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