Jane Marie Zinke
January 14, 1923 - November 27, 2008
Obituary
Jane Marie Zinke
Jane was born January 14, 1923 in Devils Lake, North Dakota to Hilda Benson Halvorson and Halvor Halvorson. She attended a one-room country school and later high school in Devils Lake. She left us to be with her Lord on Thanksgiving Day November 27, 2008.
She moved to Seattle in 1942 and lived with her sister and brother-in-law Helen and Everett Hanson. She met a sailor, Erich Zinke, in 1943 who became the love of her life.
Jane and Erich were married on July 26, 1945. They lived in small apartments in Seattle while saving to purchase their own property. In 1953 they bought property in Tukwila. Living in the existing small house, they made a 10 year plan to build their own dream home. They bought and paid for materials as they built. Building materials including large beams were hauled on a bracket Erich installed on their 1949 Ford sedan. Jane and Erich built their home together board-by-board and moved in 1961.
Jane decorated their home beautifully and they generously shared it with many friends and family. She loved to entertain so they had many card parties, dancing parties and dinner parties. Jane was a wonderful cook and baker so everyone enjoyed meals prepared by Jane. She was unusually famous for always serving second and third helpings that were piping hot like the first one.
They always had a great organic garden and fruit trees where they raised most of their vegetables and fruit. Chickens were raised for meat and eggs and provided wonderful fertilizer for their garden along with all of the vegetable waste. Jane meticulously canned and froze the harvest for their use and to share with others.
Jane loved to travel and they made long trips every year to distant family and friends and other destinations throughout the country. Jane especially liked the beauty of the gulf coast of Florida and said she would have enjoyed one more trip there.
Although Jane was frugal she was also very generous and liked to give and make gifts for others. She was especially generous with the Crippled Children’s Home in Jamestown, North Dakota.
They sold their home in 2001 due to the progression of Parkinson’s disease which afflicted Jane. They moved to Yakima, WA where they lived in assisted living until Jane needed more care. Jane was cared for in adult homes until the time of her death.
Jane is survived by her loving husband Erich of The Villas, Tacoma, WA, her sister Helen Hanson of Everett, WA, her sisters Mae Soper and Ruth Olson of Devils Lake, ND and many nieces and nephews who adored their beloved Aunt Jane.
Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Arthur Halvorson and her sister Arlene Wass.
Visitation will be Thursday, December 4, 2008 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, with Funeral Services Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 12:30pm all at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188 206 242-1787.
The family would like to especially thank the owners and staff of Apple Creek Adult Family Homes of Yakima who cared for Jane so lovingly for over three years and for the owners and staff of Highlander Elderly Care adult family home of Kent who lovingly cared for Jane for over two years until the time of her death.
dear uncle erich, we are both saddened by the loss of aunt janie. she is now at peace with the lord. i will always remember growing up that she was the most beautiful woman i had ever seen, and i was so lucky to have her for my aunt and you my uncle. the two of you shared more visits with us, than we did with you, but we cherished our time with you so, very much. we always looked forward to spending time with you. we love you and will dearly miss our aunt janey.
What I am going to miss the most.
When Erich and Jane would come to visit Erich’s brother Bill and his family. They would travel in that Ford Ranchero wtih the camper on it.
Dear Uncle – I’m so sorry to hear the love of your life has gone home. I hope it brings comfort to you knowing she is now fully restored to health and waiting for you. I’d always hoped to visit the two of you one more time. When I think of you and auntie, I always ‘see’ the twinkle in both your eyes. There was always a special spark, something magical when the two of you were in the same room together. I see it in her smile in the picture. I always said if I got married, I wanted what I saw between you and aunt Jane. Wish I could be there to give you a hug. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers …
Condolences from Highlander Elderly Care to Jane’s family.
We will all miss her.
We will miss you Aunt Jane. You were always such a sweet & loving Auntie, not to mention the best cook ever! With love, until we see you again, Alena, Clint, & Gunnar
Dear Erick and family; just a note to send my condolences. I lost my Fred last April 29th and still miss him terribly.
I remember all the good times we had at dances!! I am now living in Port Orchard Vista. Drop me a note when you feel up to it.
Love,
virginia Smithson
Dear Eric; So sorry to learn of your loss. When you are up to it give us a call, or drop us a line. We think of you often. Cecil mentions the times you worked together, along with Francis Hopp. Ruth
you have been a great neighbor watching me grow up and watching my children grow up. you used to love watching the sheep in the upper lot and daddy loved flirting w/you. God bless you and keep you safe beautiful lady!!!