JANKE, Gloria Jean (Hall), of Rapid City, Michigan, passed away while surrounded by her husband
and children on Saturday, January 21, 2024. Born January 11, 1942 in Alma, Michigan, Gloria was
chosen to be Jackson's Rose Queen in 1963. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music
Education from Michigan State University, and afterward performed for two seasons with Summer
Stock Theater in New York before teaching music at Northwest Junior High School in Jackson,
Michigan. Sharing her passion for music and her love for God among her family and friends were
focal points throughout Gloria's life everywhere she lived. She sang for 17 years with the
Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and taught orchestra in Hudson, Ohio; she performed with a number
of quartets, and contributed her talents in music and teaching in every church she attended.
Gloria traveled throughout Europe, often accompanied by her husband, Fred, where she enjoyed
taking part in master classes taught by the Manhattan String Quartet. Gloria was beautiful inside
and out — her talents for art, music, fine cooking, and hospitality combined with deep faith and
natural compassion, and she was known for warmly reaching out to others, offering comfort and
prayer. One of her favorite phrases was "mercy and grace," and her life reflected both of those
qualities.
Gloria is survived by her husband of 58 years, Fred C. Janke, Jr. and three children: Lauren Jill
Justin, Lise Beth Sentell, and Fred C. Janke, III, as well as eight grandchildren and many dear
friends. Her family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to God for the countless blessings that He
has bestowed on them through Gloria and her life. Visitation will take place from 1-3pm at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City, Michigan, followed by a 4pm Celebration of Life service at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Traverse City.
Burial will take place at Milton Township Cemetery. The family would like to extend thanks to
Sunrise Comfort Care, LLC and Heartland Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Compassion Network (Pakistan), PO Box 3055, New
Kensington, PA 15068 or paypal.me/Parnassuspartnership (designate funds for the Pakistan
ministry). Please share your cherished memories of Gloria with her family at www. Reynolds Jonkhoff.com