NWA Capt. Leonard W. Jankowski

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

USNR, NWA Capt. Leonard W. Jankowski, LCDR

February 1, 1936 ~ August 20, 2021

 

From the retired Northwest Airlines pilot group, we have learned of the passing of Captain Leonard “Len” Jankowski, LCDR, age 85.  It is suspected that Len suffered a stroke while driving to church resulting in a single car accident and medical complications.  Captain Jankowski joined Northwest Airlines 08-01-1966.  Widowed in April of 2006 with the passing of his wife JoAnne, Captain Jankowski is survived by their children and grandchildren.  

To view the obituary for Captain Jankowski and share memories online please visit the funeral home website at

https://www.washburn-mcreavy.com/obituaries/Leonard-Jankowski-2/ 

or go to https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2354944091573/leonard-jankowski-lcdr

Please see links below to articles that give us more insight into the Jankowski’s life and work.

 

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary:  Leonard Jankowski, LCDR

Jankowski, Leonard, LCDR 85, of Greenfield, MN passed away peacefully on August 20th, 2021. Leonard was born on February 1, 1936 in Vilnius, Poland to Sergei and Anna Jankowski. He immigrated to the United States when he was 13. Preceded in death by his loving wife of 44 years, JoAnne (Hampton) Jankowski. He is survived by his sister Irene Umen, children Stephen Jankowski, Judi (Ken) Kulus, Thaddeus (Joni) Jankowski, and Rachel (Robert) Schaus. He was proud of his grandchildren, Anacari (Josh) Storms, Marie Jankowski, Jeneva (James) Griffin, Sinclair Jankowski, Michael Wallace, Daniel Kulus, SheaAnna Kulus, Khaia Kulus, Anna Jankowski, Andrew Jankowski, Matthias (Brittany) Schaus, Joanna Schaus, Jakeh Schaus, great grandchildren Judah Storms, Abigail Storms, Hadassah Storms, and Joy Griffin.

After graduating from high school in Sandstone, MN in 1954, he went on to study economics at the University of Minnesota and served as a naval aviator from 1957 to 1978. He loved flying DC-10's as a pilot for Northwest Airlines. More important than his career, Leonard had a passion to serve his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He contributed to dubbing the Jesus movie into many different languages, was a founding member of Faith Academy, owned and managed nursing homes, and published the Minnesota Christian Chronicle.  Additionally, he served on the board of the National Association of Evangelicals for fourteen years and was active in Christian Business Men's Connection.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Officer's Christian Fellowship at ocfusa.org. There will be a reviewal on September 4th, 2021 at 4pm at Grace Church Eden Prairie, 9301 Eden Prairie Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55347 (door 3) followed by a celebration of life at 5pm and a light reception at 6pm. Washburn-McReavy.com Eden Prairie Chapel 952-975-0400.

 

https://www.eplocalnews.org/2021/07/31/air-expo-2021-planes-pilots-and-the-stories-they-tell/ 

“We’re both retired Navy pilots,” said Leonard Jankowski, referring to himself and his colleague, David Lundin.

Jankowski and Lundin described working in Anti-Submarine Warfare, flying 747s to locate Russian submarines. “When we knew approximately where the Russian submarine was located, they launched us to go locate it, so, in case of war, we would try to sink it,” explained Jankowski…………………………

 

http://www.missionpoland.pl/Welcome/MPBoard/tabid/73/Default.aspx 

Leonard Jankowski (2007) of Minnesota  :  Leonard is a retired naval officer and Pilot. He has flown for Northwest airlines for many years. Leonard organized the Polish translation of the Jesus Film, which was the first of 1500 translations. Leonard’s mother came to America in 1933 to complete her studies at the Moody Bible Institute and returned to Poland. Leonard was born in Wilno, Poland and then came to America as a young teenager.

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https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/7577497/    

Wife:   Joanne Jankowski  (1940-2006)

Jankowski, JoAnne Age 65 of Greenfield died April 4, 2006 after a valiant battle with cancer. Born April 13, 1940 in Ohio to Harley and Effie Hampton. She married Leonard Jankowski on July 1, 1961. She was preceded in death by her parents. ………………………. JoAnne worked her entire life to further the kingdom of God. She was an Attorney, Nursing Home owner and Administrator, co-publisher of the Minnesota Christian Chronicle, member of many evangelical boards, member of 1st Baptist Church in Minneapolis and Grace Church Eden Prairie, active in the state and national republican party, and promoter/facilitator of mission projects in South America and Eastern Europe…………………..