Marilyn Evelyn Adele Jahnke

Marilyn Jahnke, age 80, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at her home in Herbert, SK.

Marilyn Evelyn Adele Jahnke (nee Gall) was born on December 10, 1944 in Herbert, SK to Ronald & Adele Gall. She grew up on the farm at Calderbank, the middle sibling and oldest daughter in an extremely tight knit family (especially the three sisters “Adeles Angels”) and attended school in Calderbank and Morse. Marilyn met the love of her life, Neil Jahnke, at Rolling Plains Lake and they were married in 1966. They lived at the ranch north of Glen Kerr for several years where in 1970 they welcomed their daughter JJ. In 1973 they moved to the Big Coulee Ranch northeast of Gouldtown where in 1974 they welcomed Shane. Marilyn was the queen of hosting and feeding large gatherings whether it was brandings, neighbors, friends, (remember the nut fries?) and family, or cattle industry public relation tours for Neil. This was on top of taking the kids to skating, swimming lessons, rodeos, hockey, and 4H. Marilyn always had a big garden, picked berries, and most years had at least a couple pail fed calves. We were just happy she got rid of the chickens. Neil was extremely active in cowboy politics while Marilyn held down the fort at home until 2002. At this time, Marilyn jumped into the fray and became the first female president of the Saskatchewan Stockgrowers just prior to BSE. Several of her old board members and close friends commented that while they had had other presidents, Marilyn was “their” president. She received the Honor Scroll from the Saskatchewan Livestock Association in 2010 and the Queens Jubilee medallion in 2022. Marilyn enjoyed travelling with Neil, family, or friends, traveling to Scotland, South Africa, Australia, Alaska, Mexico, Nunavut, and Cuba among others. After Neil’s passing in 2012 Marilyn made the decision to move to Herbert. Her grandkids meant everything to her and she went to numerous Christmas Concerts, horse shows, rodeos, volleyball, football and hockey games.  Marilyn was always there to babysit except New Years Eve … that day was reserved for Ricky & Marlene Heschel … longest running New Years Eve plans ever and you just didn’t mess with that. Marilyn also continued to travel, mostly with her dear friend Pat Bethel. She fought and won a courageous battle against cancer in 2021, and being as stubborn as she was even that did not deter her from enjoying her cigarettes. After Neil’s passing, Marilyn would only do things “her way”!

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, JJ – grandson, Wyatt; her son, Shane – granddaughter, Savannah and grandson, Colt; daughter of her heart, Jill Shapland –  her boys, Joshua and Logan; her brothers, Bruce (Pat), Doug (Judy), and Gary (Mae); her sisters, Denise (Wayne) Leisle and Laurie (Murray) Giesbrecht; as well as by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Neil – 2012; her father, Ronald – 1963; her mother, Adele – 2010; and by her parents–in–law, Mary & Elmer Jahnke – 2013.

We just want to say how thankful we are to Marilyn’s sister, Denise, and to Pat Bethel for always being there for her, and us. We could go further down this rabbit hole with thanks, but we would be here all day. She had so many dear friends and family and you all meant so much to her.

The service recording can be located below in two parts due to technical issues. 

Part 1:

Part 2:

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