Margaret Janke

Margaret Lucile Janke passed peacefully through Heaven’s gates on the evening of April 4, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM, on Friday April 17, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 203 Mitchell Ave S, Steele, ND. Visitation will be held one hour prior. Cremation has taken place.

A private interment will be held.

Margaret was born on November 12, 1931, in Steele to Frank and Golda (Gebhard) Johnson. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Trinity Lutheran Church, a place that remained central to her life and faith. A proud Valedictorian of Steele High School’s Class of 1950, Margaret began her journey with a strong spirit and a love of learning that stayed with her always.

She married Marlyn Janke and embraced her new life as a farm wife and devoted mother to their four children. Margaret found joy in life’s simple pleasures—reading, gardening, sewing, puzzles, games (her favorites were word games - Scrabble and Bananagrams!) and music—along with countless other creative pursuits that filled her days with purpose and happiness.

A woman of deep and unwavering faith, Margaret lived out her beliefs through her service to her church, her community, and her family. She began working at the tender age of 12 as a waitress at the Woodlawn Café. During her teens she was a soda jerk at the Yanken Drug in Steele and later worked at Tollefson’s Grocery. Margaret carried that strong work ethic throughout her life, eventually retiring from the USDA office in Steele, while continuing to serve others at the Steele Senior Center.

Music was one of Margaret’s greatest joys. From singing in the church choir as a young girl to performing in community musicals, most memorably as Mother Superior in The Sound of Music, she shared her talents generously. She also cherished singing with her family as part of the Johnson Quartet, joined by her brothers Walter and Robert and sister Mildred, creating memories that will be treasured for generations.

In her later years, Margaret discovered a love for quilting, thoughtfully creating treasured keepsakes for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Each stitch was a reflection of her love and care. Each grandchild received a denim quilt in eighth grade and she went on to make wedding quilts for her grandchildren and baby quilts for great-grandchildren.

Margaret spent her later years at Golden Manor, where she enjoyed fellowship, activities, and especially reading to visiting kindergarten classes. Even in her final year at Augusta Place in Bismarck, her warmth, humor, and positive outlook made her a beloved presence among staff and friends alike.

She is survived by her children: Muriel DeVore, Casa Grande, AZ; Marty (Sandi) Janke, Steele, ND; Marla (Allan) Hagen, Fargo, ND; and Mary (Bob) Rohrich, Steele, ND. Nine grandchildren: Amanda (Eric) Schmitcke, Aaron (Melissa) Rohrich, Kelli (Chris) Gabel, Tyler (Crystal) DeVore, Jason DeVore, Audra (Corey) Hagen Grunhovd, Erik (Karin Struwe) Hagen, Ciara Janke and Autumn (Brighton) Fallgatter and 18 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Mildred Hanson and sister-in-law Beverly Johnson, numerous nieces and nephews, and special friend Betty Smokov.

Preceding her in death are her parents, three brothers, Harold Horn, Walter Johnson and Robert Johnson, sister-in-law Vernice Johnson, brother-in-law Russell Hanson, and two nephews, Rick Hanson and Timothy Johnson.