Obituary of Richard Allen Jenke

Richard (Dick) Jenke 84, passed away September 11th, 2023. He was born on January 13th, 1939 to Carl and Lillian (Zander) Jenke in Mankato, Minnesota. After graduating from Rochester High School in 1957, he entered the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. During a computer training class in Indiana, he met the love of his life, Nancy Miller. They were married in Anchorage on March 13th, 1959 and shared 52 years together until Nancy’s death in 2011. After leaving the Army, Rich worked as a computer operator for Eli Lilly in Indiana, and then as a programmer for IBM in Colorado until retiring in 1992.

Rich loved anything to do with the outdoors. He enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, and hunting. He had a lifelong passion for model airplanes and racing homing pigeons. From being a hunting and fishing mentor, to an instructor at the local RC club, his greatest joy was helping his family and friends learn and experience these outdoor activities. He always had a joke, was an amazing story teller, and loved to play his harmonica.  

In 1972 the family moved to a small farm in Erie, Colorado that they named “El Rancho not so Grande” and set out to raise just about every farm animal that they could find. Horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, pigeons, and even a racoon or two were all welcome.

Although Rich traveled extensively throughout the US and Canada after retirement, he was happiest watching the sun rise on his favorite hunting meadow or sitting beside a lake waiting for a bite.

Rich is survived by his children Rich and Kristi Jenke of Loveland, Robert and Lynn Jenke of Keenesburg, and Tom and Renee Cyr of Arvada. Companion Sharon Samek of Erie. Sister Linda Bell Anderson of Seattle, Washington. Grandchildren Derek and Jen Jenke, Danielle and Jared Sego, Tyler and Ashlee Stolz, Brandon Martinez, Andrew and Karina Jenke, Nicole and Dalton Penning, and Jeff Cyr. Great Grandchildren, Kennen, Brian, Annabelle, Ryder, Britynn, Kenslee, Kendal, Alyiah, Brooklynn, and Caylee.

He is preceded in death by his wife Nancy, brother Marvin, sister Irene, and his parents Carl, Lillian, and Lucille.