
OJ was born to Gustav and Martha Jahnke of Devils Lake, ND, on July 26, 1926, and was the second to the youngest of 4 children. She and her siblings were raised on the family farm near Grand Harbor Township. The Word of God was the foundation of the Jahnke family as they were among the first 27 establishing members of St. Peter's Lutheran Church where she was baptized and confirmed.
She graduated from Central High School in 1943. After graduating, she followed her love of nature and began working at the Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park. She found artistic inspiration there and dabbled in the arts by painting with oils, making and painting rock figurines (ducks were her favorite), and finding feathers on her walks and making them into homemade cards. OJ eventually moved to Washington and enjoyed her retirement in Medford, Oregon, along with her dog, Taffy.
OJ returned to Devils Lake to be closer to family and enjoyed gatherings, especially birthdays since that’s the day we started our lives with Jesus. She cherished her friendships in Medford, made new friends, and loved desserts. She had a quick wit and sense of humor. OJ always ended her telephone conversation with good-bye and God Bless!