Dr. Bruce H. Janke, DVM, PhD, age 68, of Ames, passed on to his heavenly home on June 25, 2016 due to complications related to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) while at Mayo Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN. A gathering of friends and family will be held from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care (414 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA). A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, at Bethesda Lutheran Church (1517 Northwestern Ave, Ames, IA). Burial will be at Ames Municipal Cemetery.
Bruce Janke was born Feb. 10, 1948 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the son of Reverend Wilfred and Vera Janke. He graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1966, and attended Iowa State University, where he earned his Bachelors of Science in Zoology in 1970 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1975. He went on to work as a veterinarian for three years in Windom, MN, during which time he met his wife, Ellen Bode. The couple married on October 14, 1978 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and moved to Colombia, MO where their two sons, Ben and Brian, were born. Bruce earned Masters and PhD degrees in Veterinary Pathology from the University of Missouri. Following his PhD work, the family moved to Brookings, SD where he served as a professor of Veterinary Pathology from 1984 to 1991 at the South Dakota State University Diagnostic Laboratory. In 1991, Bruce and his family returned to Ames, where he joined ISU as a Professor of Diagnostic Pathology, retiring in 2014 after 23 years of teaching, research, and veterinary diagnostics. Bruce was affiliated with these professional organizations: American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, North Central Conference of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa Cattlemen's Association.
Bruce loved to play basketball and golf, and enjoyed being outdoors. He loved to fish, and especially relished two annual fishing trips to Canada with friends and family. He enjoyed spending time with his family; he and Ellen liked to travel and visit the national parks, as well as attend the performing arts and ISU basketball games. He was an active member of Bethesda Lutheran Church, serving the church and community in several capacities and living out his strong faith.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Ellen Janke of Ames; sons, Ben Janke of Minneapolis, MN, and Brian Janke of Madison, WI; and a brother, Doug (Jodie) Janke of Fort Dodge.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant brother, Warren Janke.
Memorials may be made to Cure HHT, Bethesda Lutheran Church, or Lutheran Services of Iowa (LSI).
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
As a colleague at the ISU VDL in the 90's, a fellow basketball player and a friend, I was saddened to hear of Bruce's passing. He was a great guy and an excellent pathologist and we are all better for having known and worked with him. He will be greatly missed. Our deepest sympathies are extended to Ellen and their sons.
Dr. Janke was a most exceptional mentor (my MS major professor) and a fine example of a caring and useful man. Much sadness at his loss.
Bruce was a pathologist in the veterinary diagnostic laboratory at ISU while I was a pathology graduate student in Ames. I had the opportunity to work with him in the VDL before moving on, but I managed to stay in touch over the years. I always enjoyed seeing and talking with Bruce - he was a special guy. He sense of humor was wonderful.
I was really saddened to learn that Bruce passed away. We originally met playing basketball and for many years he was a regular member of our noon hour group. Ellen, Ben and Brian - you have my deepest sympathies. Bruce was a wonderful guy.
Bruce was a great mentor and friend during my time as a graduate student at Iowa State University. He helped me through some harsh times and offered a tentative ear and infectious smile that made things just a little easier. I am fortunate to have had Bruce in my life and will carry the lessons he taught me throughout mine.
Bruce earned his masters and PhD at the University of Missouri with my husband, L. G. Morehouse. They shared a very cordial relationshiip during that time. I send my sincerest sympathies to his family.
Bruce was a great guy and a superb pathologist. I first met him when I was a veterinary student at the U of Missouri (class of 1979). He had just come there from practice and he was very earnest. I was here at ISU as a veterinary pathologist when he started in the VDL here in 1991. He was always very helpful and very conscientious. He was a friend and a valued colleague; I miss seeing him around and talking with him. I know he had a difficult time with his health these past few years, but because of his belief in Jesus, he is in a better place now. God bless you all.
Our deepest sympathy and prayers to the family. Dr Janke was a great Pathogist and will be missed by us in the diagnostic world. His time at SDSU was short but he left such a great impression on us who worked with him. God Bless you all
Bruce was a great colleague and friend at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He was a superb scholar and a great veterinarian. More importantly, he was a great friend and a real gentleman. We will miss him.
We were very sad to receive the news that Bruce passed away. Our deepest sympathy to your family. Bruce was not only a classmate but one of my room mates for senior year. He will be missed.
Ellen, my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
As a veterinary classmate of Bruce's, I have many fond memories of our years together. Bruce was a great guy and I know how much he will be missed.
Our deepest sympathy to the family.
Visitation
Ames, IA 50010
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Ames, IA 50010
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