Kelly Marie Janke- Prichard

I was fortunate to get to know Kelly when she was a long term math substitute at Verona Area High School a few years ago. She taught in the room adjacent to mine. Kelly had a sparkle! She always had a smile on her face as she bounced around in her platform Converse, high pony tail and hoop earrings. She was fantastic with the students and it was amazing how she could hop right in mid year and students instantly trusted and gravitated toward her. I am saddened by her passing but grateful to have crossed paths with her! My deepest sympathy to her family.

Kelly was a best friend in middle and high school, though I think she made everyone feel like they were her best friend. Like Patty, I lost track of her after high school, but I have so many good memories hanging together. I’m not surprised by the impactful memories shared by her students. That’s just the kind of person she was, even when young.

Kelly was a High School classmate of mine and a great childhood friend to my wife. I have fond memories of Kelly in high school, including she and I walking together at our Junior Prom. I (we) did lose touch with her after high school yet talked about trying to look her up. As a person whose father was a Jr High teacher and now a daughter teaching HS math, I know the impact teachers have on students. Outside of family teachers offer the most to the betterment of young people. As such it warms my heart to read the testimonials of so many of her students. It does not surprise me to now know the mentor she was, the kindness she offered, and the impact she had on those around her. Clearly Kelly made the world a better place; good on her!

Kelly was one of my dearest childhood friends. I spent so many hours at her farm. It was at her house that I rode my first horse (Tex) and developed my love of horses! I saved every dime so that one day I eventually bought my own horse (Flicka). We spent hours riding horses in the summer and hours riding her snowmobile in the winter. We’d help milk the cows and feed the pigs, always playing with the little calves and piglets. I broke my leg at her house one time when I fell off the hay wagon out in the field. Kelly ran back to the house to get her Mom, who came driving into the field in their station wagon. Her Dad scooped me up and laid me on the backseat and her Mom took me home so my Mom could take me to the hospital. Her parents were like second parents to me. They actually let me drive their car when I went for my driver’s license test because our car was a stick shift and they had an automatic! Her mom actually made my wedding cake years later! We completely lost touch after high school and I always wondered where she was after college. She never came to any of the class reunions so I never knew where she was or what she was doing. It warms my heart to read about her life of teaching and to read testimonies from so many of her students. It also makes me so happy to read that she married a wonderful man named Shane and had a happy life with him! My condolences go out to Shane, and Josh, and Jodie and Lyn. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

How lucky the world was to be graced by Mrs. Janke. She was the type of teacher that truly made every student feel special. I feel immensely lucky to have known her during my time at West. Math felt like a foreign language to me, however she helped ease my anxiety and made it seem more accessible. My heart hurts knowing that she is no longer with us as her soul and kindness has impacted so many of us. Mrs. Janke made all of us better people. I think that if every student had a teacher like Mrs. Janke, the world would be a better place. May her memory be a blessing.