Janis Dannenberg, nee Heinz, 79

Janis was born Oct. 17, 1936, to Leo and Lydia Heinz of Dundee, Ill. Following graduation from Dundee High School she was trained as a Key Punch operator, working in Chicago until her marriage to Donald Dannenberg on Aug. 13, 1961. Don was completing his year of vicarage at Immanuel Lutheran, Dundee. After the wedding they moved to Springfield, Ill., where Don completed his final year at the Seminary.

After Don’s graduation in 1962, they moved to Daykin, Neb., where they served Immanuel Lutheran Church until 1965. While at Daykin, their two oldest children were born: Kari and Kirk. From Daykin, they moved to Kearney, Neb., where Don was the founding Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. While in Kearney their youngest child, Kent, was born 1964. In June 1967, they moved to West Chicago, Ill., where Don became the Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church.

September 1973 found Janis and family moving to California where they became the managers of the Lutheran Hospice, a Lutheran boarding home for college students from USC and UCLA. It was there that Janis prepared daily meals for 20 residents of the Hospice.

In June 1974, they moved to Perris, Calif., where Don became the Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church. While in Perris, Janis served as church secretary for eight years, and their children all graduated from high school.

In 1985, Janis and family moved to Fontana, Calif., to serve First Lutheran Church. Janis served as preschool secretary for a period of time. But, her greatest joy was creating a loving home for her family.

When Don retired from full-time ministry in 2002, they entered a new phase of life, caring for their grandchildren, first Noah, born in 2002, and then Jake, born in 2006. 2008 found them moving to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to be near Noah and Jake, whose parents had moved to Coeur d’Alene that summer. It was during the summer of 2015 Janis became ill with Myasthenia Gravis and rapidly declined in health until the Lord called her home on May 1, 2016.

Janis was preceded in death by her mother and father, and sister Carol.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Don; daughter Kari; son Kirk (Heather); son Kent (Teresa); grandsons Noah and Jake; a sister, Phyllis; brother Gerald of Dundee and a brother, Douglas of Wheaton, Ill. Also nieces and nephews in Illinois and Ohio.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude for the care provided to Janis by North Idaho Hospice in her last days; and to the Pastors and members of Christ the King Lutheran Church for their support and loving care. Any memorials can be made to either of these wonderful ministries.

Service for Janis will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 5, 2016, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1700 Pennsylvania Ave., Coeur d’Alene.

Yates has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Janis’ online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign her guest book.