Steven Scott Janke

Steven Scott Janke, age 48 of Westfield, died in a car accident on Sunday afternoon, 31 May 2026.

Steve was born on 1 August 1977 to Alyson (Schlobohm) and Terry Janke of rural Westfield. He attended school in Westfield, graduating in 1995. He loved sports and played football, basketball and baseball on high school and village teams. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in February of 1996 and served through 1999. He was stationed in Kaneoehe Bay, HI and Okinawa.

Steve often said his story was one of soil and roots. A multi-generational Wisconsin dairy farmer and Marine Corps veteran, he built his life around two enduring commitments: promoting the Great State of Wisconsin and serving those who served.

After serving with Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, Steve returned to his roots as a dairy farmer and continued his commitment to service, serving on the Westfield Area School Board and the CESA 5 Board of Control. He also held roles as Director of Logistics for the National Republican Party Museum Foundation, field representative with the NRA, and a Legislative Assistant with the Wisconsin State Assembly.

In 2017, Steve joined the WI Department of Veterans Affairs, serving in the roles of County Veteran Field Representative and later as a Statewide Veteran Field Representative. It was during this time that Steve was instrumental in building the state-wide talent attraction initiative, Mission Wisconsin. Steve found passion in this purpose, helping military-connected families find opportunities in Wisconsin.

In 2020, Steve successfully transitioned this initiative from a government-funded effort to a for-profit company during a global pandemic, developing a globally recognized best practice for recruiting military talent. As his mission grew, he expanded his efforts nationally as Semper Forward. In 2025, Semper Forward was acquired as a division of Fastport, a global-technology company and continues to provide concierge level services to transitioning military families.

Since 2020, Steve has supported thousands of service members with transition, helping 526 military families relocate to Wisconsin and has consulted with numerous states on how to better attract military talent.

He had two children: Ashton, a student at the Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO; and Emma, a student at Creighton University in Omaha, NE.

He is survived by his children, Ashton and Emma; siblings Tim Janke of New York City, NY and Margaret Erdman (Nate) of Hartford, WI; his parents, Alyson and Terry Janke, and three nephews Hunter, Maddox, and Dawson Erdman of Hartford, WI; cousins and friends.

A memorial service for Steve will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Westfield with Pastor Brenda Pulver officiating. Full military honors will be held following the service at the church. Following military honors, a celebration of life gathering will be held at Thal Acres Golf & Bowling Complex in Westfield. A visitation will be held on Friday from 4:00 to 6:45 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to a fund being established for his children’s education.

Please take a moment to view the online Guestbook. Send your condolences or share a memory of Steve with his family & friends.