Darrell “Butch” Jahnke, 81, of Abrams, went home to his Heavenly Father on Monday, Oct. 1. Darrell was born in the family homestead at Abrams, Aug. 14, 1937, son of Myrtle (Ellner) and Edward Jahnke. Darrell ventured away from Oconto County once really, to join the U.S. Marine Corps immediately after high school. For four years, he experienced places like California and Japan before returning home. He farmed the homestead his entire life, but also had several off-farm careers. For 14 years, he worked at Fort Howard Paper in Green Bay. Next, he became the most popular U.S. rural mail carrier in Abrams — thanks in large part to the doggie biscuits he routinely carried in his truck for all his four-legged friends along his 300-mile route each day. Darrell was THE rural carrier for Abrams for 30 years. In retirement, he doted on his family and especially his grandson, Jayden Virtues. He was active in the Oconto Falls FFA as a youth and supported it as an adult; was a leader on the church council at Calvary Lutheran in Abrams; and focused on being the World’s Greatest Grandpa.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Beverly (Vasquez); children, Pam (Randy) Welch, Madison; Michelle (Gary) Virtues, Little Suamico; and Darrell T. Jahnke, Abrams. He also has one grandson, Jayden Virtues, Little Suamico, and two step-grandsons, Matt and Nate Virtues, Howard. Preceded in death by his parents, as well as brother Roy Jahnke, Abrams, and sister Delores Kuhn, Brookside.
Many thanks to all the wonderful caregivers that Darrell has had at Davita Dialysis, Green Bay and St. Clare Dialysis in Oconto Falls; St. Vincent, Green Bay; St. Clare Hospital in Oconto Falls; Atrium Post Acute Care, Oconto Falls; and especially the genuine kindness, care and concern from Dr. Thomas Smith, Pastor Matt Stuebs and Mr. Bill Gallagher. The family is truly blessed and thankful for you all.
The family received relatives and friends at the Gallagher Funeral Home, Oconto, from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. Visitation continued Saturday, Oct. 6, from 10-11 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, Abrams. Funeral services were conducted 11 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Matt Stuebs officiating. Burial will be at Brookside Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gallagherfuneralhome.net.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be sent to Calvary Lutheran Church in Abrams.