Obituary
Jeffery M Panke
Jeffery M Panke, 50, of La Crosse passed away unexpectedly on October 24th, 2018 at his home. He was born December 17, 1967 in La Crosse, the son of Fred and Sheila (Silver) Panke. He was a wonderful and beautiful son in heart and soul and loving brother which we will always cherish and never forget. After his birth, his parents moved to Onalaska where he went through the school system and was a hard-core wrestler starting in middle school and all four years of high school toning his skills, competing in many meets and tournaments and eventually advancing to state achieving his ultimate goal. After high school, he enlisted in the Army and later in the Airforce, serving as an aircraft flying pattern interceptor in Italy. In 1990, he married Angela Carini in Las Vegas (they later divorced) and to that union were born, Anthony and Alyssa Panke.
He enrolled at UW La Crosse in business and Finance with a minor in accounting graduating in May 1993. He was employed by the School District of La Crosse for 8 years until his death. Jeff was compassionate and respectful to all and loved by all that met him, he was one of a kind. He helped so many, including children.
He is survived by his children, Anthony (Kylie Sannes) and Alyssa Panke; granddaughter, Everly; parents, Fred and Sheila; brother, Kevin of Dakota, MN and his children, Kelsey, Jordan and Corbin; uncle, Tom (Luann Milbrandt) Silver of Random Lake, WI, and his children, Tania, Tara, and Tina; Uncle Charles (Marlene) Panke of Bichheim, France; Kimberly Goodno-Panke; and his beloved step-children, Kyle Goodno (Katie Johnson) and Alyssa “CJ” Seiler (Steffen Hamby) and their daughter Aspen; Robert Goodno; and his fur babies, Shadow and Pita.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Benjamin and Vivian Silver; by his paternal grandparents, Robert and Wenonah Panke; Aunt Patricia Silver; paternal great grandparent, Fred and Anna (Thill) Zisch; Uncle, Jim; Judy Goodno, mother of Kimberly; numerous aunts; uncles; cousins; and cat, Sheena (2018).
A memorial service will be held in his honor on Friday, November 9th, 2018 at 5 PM with a gathering being held from 3 PM until the time of the service in the Gathering Place, at Coulee Region Cremation Group, 133 Mason St., Onalaska.
Godspeed, Jeff. It was good growing up together in Oak Park! See you on the other side. Blessings to your family & friends.
Sorry for your loss. I still remember him giving me a ride in his Astre (vega) after Wrestling practice. Smelled like lettuce salad bar at Bonanza! I will always be grateful for working for F and S Lawnscape and him being in Junior Achievement with me!
Sweatheart, you were my first born and I was very very proud of you. You are so very very much love an cherished by our family and by everybody who knew you or came in contact with you. You had sufh an outgoing personality. People tell me so many nice things and how respectful, compassionate and willing to help anyone with a need.
Your dad, I and your brother love you to the moon and back and still can’t believe you left us. Your nephew Jordan looks up to you, you just can’t believe how much.
I went to the cemetery today (you were suppose to go with me) but you couldn’t make it which made me so sad.I was going to show you all the family stones for your project. I told them what happened and they said they would be waiting for you.
Until we meet again, get together with grandpa, your best hunting buddy and grandma. They are going to be so ecstatic to see you. Give them our love!
Love you so much, Mom, Dad, Kevin and all the people in Iowa that have called me.
Hope you got all the hugs and kisses I gave you and hope you didn’t get too wet, lol.
REST IN PEACE WITH ALL OUR LOVE JEFF UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN! XOXOXOXOXO
Jeff was a classmate of mine at OHS. I remember his smile and laugh. I’m so glad we had a chance to talk at our 30 year reunion. Sending my deepest sympathy to Jeff’s family.
Fred and Sheila,
I am so sorry for the loss of your son. I have never met him but if he’s anything like any other members of your family I’m sure he was a truly loving and loved person. May God’s blessings give you all hugs and strength to get through this time.
I am so sorry to hear about Jeff! Sending my thoughts and love to all of you.
Love, Rose
I’m Shocked
Way Too Young. !
Jeff worked occasionally for me for over ten years in the Enertaiment Industry. A Great Worker, Nice Man and will be Greatly Missed. !!!
I went to High School w Jeff and he was such an outstanding person . Saddened by the news and will be praying for his family RIP Jeff
Jeff was such a kind and talented guy! Loved his spirit, his humor and the nurturing things he was so good at. Can’t inagine your shock and pain, but know he leaves behind great memories and live.
Sheila, I’m so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers heading your way!
SHEILA!!!!!! Oh no!!! My heart goes out to you and family!!! May God give you some peace and comfort during this untimely occasion. This is so disturbing. You have to take time for yourself now, too.
As the song goes “only the good die young“ and Jeff was definitely one of the good ones. This is a shock because he was way too young to leave us. I knew Jeff as the parent of his beautiful daughter, Alyssa, and worked with him at Longfellow. Jeff was always willing to help with anything whenever I asked him. He was always very personable and would talk with me whenever we saw each other at work. Jeff loved his family immensely and worked hard at two jobs to provide for them. The world lost one of the good guys last week. He will be missed. My deepest sympathies to his family and especially to his children.
It was wonderful to have your watchful eye in the halls. I advised them if they ever needed an adult, they should go to you. My condolences to your family, friends and the staff and students of Longfellow Middle School.
Worked with Jeff in school district. A caring, considerate, hard-working guy. Sorry he’s gone too young. He will be missed.
Jeff took such good care of all of us at Longfellow Middle School and cared deeply. He always made time for friends and coworkers – would do anything to help kids and teachers. His generous nature, big heart, humor and awesome personality made him a great guy. Jeff made a big difference to the people at our school. Peace and love Jeff and to your family.
Worked with Jeff for The Lacrosse School District,Got too work with him when I first got hired and he taught me a lot about the ins and outs of the Job.Saw him at my School a few times over the years,and he would always ask how im doing and he always had a Smile on his face.You passed away way too early Jeff,see you up above someday!
Jeff’s passing was a definite shock. Jeff and I both started working with the school district around the same time and he was only 3 months younger than I. We were both “night engineers” at our respective schools. My daughter Gracie attends Longfellow and she is sad about this as Jeff made sure to say “hi” to my daughter whenever he would see her knowing I was her dad. Jeff volunteered at the Community Thanksgiving at the LaCrosse center where I would see him volunteering. Every time I drink a Mountain Dew, it should remind me of Jeff. Glad I experienced knowing him. Pretty decent guy !
Dearest Jeff, You will always be remembered. Your presence, love and kindness will forever be with us. Although we did not have that much time together being so far apart. Now rest until we meet again. God Bless
Sheila and family,
I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your son. You have my deepest sympathy. Your cousin, Susan
It was always great working with you both here and at the la crosse center.its always hard to say goodby to a friend. Rest In Peace !
Jim Barrett
Jeff always took care of our basketball teams when we came to Longfellow to practice or to have youth tournaments on Saturdays. What a wonderful and friendly man — always willing to do anything to make our day easier. Jeff – you will be missed by so many of the players who came up through the ranks. May you Rest in Peace !
Sheila, Fred and family,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I can’t begin to imagine the pain and sorrow you are all feeling. I never met Jeff, but knowing what loving parents you are and the wonderful family you have, I’m sure he was a wonderful man and will be deeply missed by all that knew him. You have been in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be, for days and weeks to come.
My deepest sympathy!
Love, Peggy