Eugene Ernest Janke

Eugene (Gene) Ernest Janke passed away on June 9, 2025, from natural causes at 94 years of age in Mansfield, Texas.

Gene was born on November 6, 1930 at his family home in Milam County, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Annie Janke and brother Leonard Janke of Davilla, Texas. He is survived by his loving wife Rose Marie (Engelmann) Janke, three daughters, seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and one sister, Arlene Schwarz.

Gene and Rose met at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas where he received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Gene won Rose over by throwing napkins at her during dinner time, an appropriate gesture demonstrating his sense of humor. After graduation Gene and Rose were married on June 1, 1952 in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pflugerville, Texas and have been married for 73 years.

Gene was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. After his honorable discharge Gene worked for Oak Farms Dairy and Southland Corporation for 30 years as Comptroller before his retirement. After retiring, Gene and Rose enjoyed extensive travel with Walking Adventures becoming known as world travelers. They walked all 50 U.S. states, 25 countries in Europe, Australia, Mexico, and Costa Rica. In Costa Rica at the age of 80 and 82, Rose and Gene ziplined multiple times, toured many beautiful sights and sidestepped poisonous snakes. They hiked 10 kilometers in all of these locations.

Gene loved the outdoors. He and Rose and his daughters spent their summers at Lake Texoma fishing, water skiing and tent camping. While still living in Cedar Hill, Gene spent all of his time working in the garden sharing the fruits and vegetables with friends, family and the wild animals he tried to spray paint. He tended his garden and yard until he was in the 90s.

Rose and Gene were longtime members of Hope Lutheran Church in Cedar Hill where they loved to entertain and play dominoes and cards with their church family. Gene was a master at playing farkle with his children and grandchildren every time the family was together.

Gene and Rose’s family includes three daughters, Sherrill Lambert and Norm of San Angelo, TX, Cynthia Reiss-Riley of Tyler, TX and Celeste Arms and Stephen (Randy) of Mansfield, TX. Grandchildren include Stephen Lambert, Jennifer Lambert Johnson, Andrea Lambert McCallister, Matthew Reiss, Melissa Reiss Terrell, Aubrey Arms Maale,

Ashley Arms McDermott. Great grandchildren include Mason Johnson, McCall McCallister, Annie McDermott, Asher Johnson, Lillian McDermott, McClane McCallister, Alice McDermott, Ethan Maale and Dorian Reiss listed in order from oldest to youngest.

The funeral service for Gene will be Thursday, June 19 at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pflugerville, Texas. The viewing will be at 10:00 am and the service at 11:00 am. A catered barbeque will be served in the fellowship hall following the service.

The family of Eugene Janke want to thank the staff at The Legend of Mansfield Assisted Living for their loving care of Gene and Rose as well as the Alevcare Hospice staff.

In lieu of flowers, please send monetary donations to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pflugerville, Texas in Eugene’s name.