Velma Pauline Janke , 94, formerly of Ryder and Minot, North Dakota, died May 22, 2014 in the Avamere Care Facility, Hillsboro, OR.

Velma was born October 26, 1919 on a farm south of Anamoose, ND, in Georgetown Township of Sheridan County, the second child of Fred and Emma (Schacher) Kessler. She attended rural school in Georgetown Township through the 8th grade. Soon after she followed her sister, Esther, to Underwood and worked for a family there and later in St Cloud, MN when the family moved there. It was in Underwood that she met Truman Janke. They were united in marriage on June 23, 1940 in Bismarck. They made their first home in Ryder where Truman owned and operated the Ryder Truck Line. In 1946 they moved to Minot where she worked in food service for the Beaver Palace and the City Bakery. She retired in 1984 from the Trinity Hospital Cafeteria after working there for 16 years. Truman died January 25, 1997. After her home was flooded in the June 2011 Minot flood she moved to Oregon to be closer to family.

Velma was saved as a young teenager and was baptized shortly after by the Rev. Karl Gieser. She was a charter and longtime member of Immanuel Baptist Church, Minot, where she was active with the Church Ladies groups. She enjoyed reading, watching Jeopardy, playing Skipbo and doing embroidery work.

Surviving family includes: son, Dennis (Sandra) Janke, La Plata, MD; daughter, Diane (LaVerne) Hogan, Beaverton, OR; grandchildren, Tracy Janke & Amber (Dan) Krivitsky, Michael (Connie) Hogan, Teri (Minas) Hovsepian; greatgrandchildren, Alexander & Ethan Hogan, John & Jocelyn Hovsepian. Siblings, Alvin Kessler, New Castle, WA, Rose Koenig, Underwood, ND and Helen Rogness, Sun City, AZ; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Rueben, Elmer and John (Jack) and sisters, Esther Radke, Florence Kessler and Ruth Kludt.

Funeral service: Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in Immanuel Baptist Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
After the interment, light refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Hall of the church.
Visitation: Monday, June 2, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials are preferred to Immanuel Baptist Church, Minot or organization of the donor's choice.