Virginia E. Jahnke, 95, of Dubuque, died peacefully on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at the UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital in Dubuque surrounded by her loving family, Chaplain Ethan, and Chaplain Claudia.

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm Friday, March 28, 2025 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory.

The Funeral Service for Virginia will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory. Burial will be at the Asbury Cemetery.

Virginia was born on December 18, 1929, in Dubuque, IA, on the Merritt family Century Farm, the daughter of L. Gilbert, Sr. and Florence (Schlitzer) Merritt. She was united in marriage to Walter H. Jahnke for almost 40 years. He preceded her in death on June 12, 1988.

Virginia was a proud graduate of Dubuque Senior High School. She then trained to become an x-ray technician and sold Stanley Home Products. A career highlight was becoming an Area Manager for WorldBook Childcraft, which enabled her to promote her passion for childhood literacy and the importance of developing a lifelong love of reading and learning.

Virginia instilled her strong values in her family. She led by example and lived her faith. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her home was a loving gathering place of delicious food and fellowship, filled with baked goods, pies, and cookies. She also enjoyed traveling to Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, a good game of euchre, polka dancing at the Melody Mill, listening to legends of the Grand Ole Opry like Merle Haggard, and playing drums for the Older and Bolder band with her friend George.

As a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church and then Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Virginia faithfully volunteered for many years with the Dubuque Rescue Mission, Dubuque Area Congregations United, Women of the ELCA Mission and Outreach, and the Dubuque CROP Hunger Walk. She was also a frequent contributor to the Lord of Life newsletter.

One of her favorite volunteer activities was her 23 years with the Dubuque Arboretum because of her family’s fond friendship with its founder, Jackson “Mac” Marshall.

In 2013, Virginia was honored with the Valiant Woman Award for serving on the leadership team of Church Women United, for serving as a Board member of People In Need, and for her years of volunteer service at the Dubuque Food Pantry, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, and St. Mark’s Community Center.

Survivors include four children, Allan (Kathie) Jahnke of Englewood, CO, Kevin (Linda) Jahnke of Ramona, CA, Steve Jahnke of Dubuque, and Lavonne (Aaron) Cohen of Chicago, IL; nine grandchildren, Jason (Jane) Jahnke, Jill (Lance Smothers) Jahnke, Jordan Jahnke, Adam (Kai) Jahnke, Andrew (Hannah) Jahnke, Aaron Jahnke, Grace Jahnke, Eric (Kalli) Jahnke, and Sarah Jahnke; seven great-grandchildren, Josh Jahnke, Gio Martinez, Jace Martinez, River Jahnke, Powell Jahnke, Hank Jahnke, and Hudson Jahnke.

Besides her parents, husband, and brother Lawrence G. Merritt, Jr., Virginia was preceded in death by her beloved son, Gary, on March 14, 2025.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who cared for Virginia: her in-home caregiver Jenny, the staff of Hawkeye Care Center, her Lord of Life friends, and her medical providers Sara Hahn, DPT, Marissa Hulme, PA-C, Angel Keller, ARNP, Dr. Angela Kelley, Dr. Tauseef Khan, Dr. Kristin Nelson, Dr. Darcy Putz, Dr. Justin Risma, and Dr. Jennifer Schope. Special thanks to her primary caregiver and advocate, her daughter Lavonne.

Please continue to make our matriarch Virginia proud by being a blessing to others.

Memorials may be given in Virginia’s name to the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting Virginia’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.