Theodore Bruce “Ted” Johnk, the son of Theodore Edward and Gladys Irene (Sankey) Johnk, was born September 9, 1937, on the family farm near Walnut, IA. Ted died November 29, 2021, at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA, at the age of 84 years, 2 months, and 20 days.
Ted attended school at Oakland, graduating from Oakland High School with the class of 1958. He worked at Conoco, Northern Natural Gas, and as a bus driver for the school, before going to work for Guaranteed Mutual Insurance. Ted then worked with Farm Bureau insurance before starting Oakland Insurance Agency in 1981. Ted operated the insurance agency until 2001, when he retired.
Ted was a member of Fellowship Church. He had served on the school board, the Oakland Development Corporation, and had been one of the founding members of the stone quarry (previously called Aqua Farms). He had belonged to the Jay Cees and had been a Shriner. Ted enjoyed his travels to Spain, England, Germany, Hawaii, and wintering in Texas. He liked playing cribbage and was an avid golfer. He had even gotten a hole in one on hole number five in Oakland. He was a big fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, and enjoyed classic cars, watching westerns, playing backgammon and solitaire on the computer, eating ice cream and Snickers, and telling and listening to a good story. He had also participated in productions of The Music Man and Oklahoma at the Grist Mill Theater. Ted loved spending time with his family.
Ted is preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; his brother Don; his sisters-in-law, Marie and Joan; his mother-in-law and father-in-law Kenneth and Lucille Baxter; and his brother-in-law Robert Baxter.
Ted is survived by his wife Phyllis Johnk of Oakland, IA; his children, Lanny Johnk and wife Melissa, Mitchel Johnk and wife Kimberly, Laura Moore and husband Ken, Rob Renaud and wife Chauna, Curt Renaud and wife Beth, and Craig Renaud; his grandchildren: Derek (Leona), Rachel (Adam) Austin (McKayla), Karlee, Morgan, Regan (Tiffany), McKenzie (Riley), John (Crystal), Rachel (Zephan), Cyle, Sam, and Ben; seven great grandchildren; and his brother Carol. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relative, and friends.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 6, 2021, at 2:00 PM at the Fellowship Church in Oakland. Visitation will take place at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment will be in Oaklawn Cemetery at a later date. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family.
