52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Week 34 Prompt - Tragedy

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 34

Prompt Tragedy

My mother in law had two siblings. Clara was the youngest of the three. Elsie was the oldest and Herbert (Herb) was the middle child. 

Doreen and Herbert Jahnke Wedding Day - October 26 - 1950

On October 26, 1950 Herbert Arthur Jahnke married Doreen Graff in Killaly, Saskatchewan. Their first child was born February 5^th, 1952. They named him Dennis Arthur Jahnke. 

February 1953 Herbert, Dennis and Doreen Jahnke on 1st Birthday

Dennis Jahnke on 1st Birthday

February 1954 - Dennis 2nd Birthday

May 1954 - Herb, Doreen, Dennis and His Infant Sister Gloria. 

This is probably the last family photograph to include Dennis.  His sister was born April 1st, 1954 and this was probably taken on the occasion of Gloria's baptism likely at a month's age. 

Sadly Dennis only lived for two years, 5 months and 2 days.  He died July 7th 1954.  In an interview with Clara in 2008 she explained what happened as follows: “He died tragically when Herb backed his car out of the driveway. Dennis was on his trike and was pedaling toward the car because he wanted to go with daddy. Herbert's wife, Doreen, saw the whole thing happen from the front door of their home, but was unable to do a thing!” 

This is what was written up in the local newspaper.

Local Newspaper - Maybe Melville- Write Up

Dennis A Jahnke Grave Taken Many Years Later by Find a Grave.

No parent should ever have to bury their toddler.  No one should have to bear that the death of their child was at their hands because of such tragic circumstances.  Sometimes I wonder if it did affect Herbert Jahnke as he died 6 years later of cancer!

Wendy