Evelyn Mae Kahnke

EVELYN MAE KAHNKE, age 88 of Waseca, died on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at her home, Colony Court, surrounded by her family. She had suffered a stroke on Friday, August 20th.

Born in Waseca on September 9, 1932, Evelyn was the daughter of Roy and Helen (Gibson) Wendland. She attended Waseca public schools. Evelyn married David James Kahnke on November 5, 1949. She worked at Brown Printing Company in Waseca prior to her 40 years with the E.F. Johnson Company where she replaced her mother’s position in the customer service department. Prior to her first stroke, Evelyn enjoyed volunteering. She sat with many as a hospice volunteer, supported the Special Olympics, and gave her time to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. She converted to Catholicism prior to her marriage, and was active within the Catholic Daughters for over 50 years including several years as Grand Regent, and was a Secular Franciscan, eucharistic minister, and reader at Sacred Heart in Waseca. She enjoyed fishing trips, playing cards – particularly bridge, bowling, and traveling. More than anything, though, Evelyn loved prioritizing her family’s lives and their events. She will be greatly missed.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Jane (Bill) Disher of Owatonna, Barb (Ed) Roesler of Waseca, Collette (Neil) Berg of Waseca, Duane (Wendy Muetzel) Kahnke of Waseca, Don (Brenda) Kahnke of Waseca, and Doug (Toni) Kahnke of Belle Fourche, SD; daughter-in-law, Kendra Kahnke of Faribault; twenty grandchildren; over 40 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, John (Janet) Wendland of Garland, TX; one sister, Margaret Krassin of Waseca; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, David Kahnke, Jr; four brothers; one sister; three grandchildren, Jennifer, Patrick, and Paige; and one great-granddaughter, Faith.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca, with a parish prayer service lead by the Catholic Daughters and Franciscans to begin at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Thursday.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca, with Fr. Thé Hoang officiating. A private family interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Waseca.