Richard (Dick) Janke of Moses Lake, Washington, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 25, 2014, at the age of 87.

Dick was born November 19, 1926, in Golden Valley, North Dakota, to Sam and Ema (Mai) Janke. The family farmed in various locations in the Flathead Valley of Montana until WW II when they relocated to Napa Valley, California. During the war Dick worked in the naval shipyard. It was there he met the love of his life, Irene Smith. Dick and Irene were married August 12, 1945, in Napa and moved to Ronan, Montana, where they ran the Janke family farm until 1952.

In 1952 Dick and Irene moved to Kennewick, WA, where he began a long career in the newspaper business. He worked as a circulation manager in Kennewick and Moses Lake ,WA, Imperial Valley, CA, and Coeur d’Alene, ID. He is remembered by co-workers and the young newspaper carriers he supervised for his strong work ethic and his ability to teach the value of organization, persistence and problem-solving. He delivered a rural route in Coeur d’ Alene for 20 years, and was devoted to his customers. Dick and Irene raised their family in several cities in Washington, Montana and California, staying busy with the sports and activities of seven children.

In 1977 Dick and Irene purchased property in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where they built a home that became the center of family gatherings and memories. He enjoyed fellowship at church, playing golf, bowling, and woodworking. They returned to Moses Lake in 2007. From 2007-2014, Dick and Irene lived at the Moses Lake Senior Living Center and Summer Wood Alzheimer’s Special Care Center. The family is grateful for the loving care their parents received by the skilled staff at both residences.

Dick is survived by the seven children he and Irene raised together: Jerry, Sam, Bill, Janice, Jolene, John and Cheryl; 14 grandchildren and many great grandchildren, as well as a sister and two brothers. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene; three sisters; a brother, and two grandchildren, Brittany and Darrell.

Services and burial will be private. Contributions in Dick’s name can be made to: Umbrella Ministries, P.O. Box 1663, Westminister, CA, 92684, www.umbrellaministries.com