LaVern F. Hanke

Obituary

LaVern Fredrick Hanke was born on March 26, 1936, in Collins Township, McLeod County, Minnesota. He was the son of Fred and Myrtle (Luedtke) Hanke. LaVern was baptized as an infant on April 19, 1936, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on April 10, 1949.  He received his education in Hutchinson, and was a graduate of the Hutchinson High School Class of 1953.

LaVern served his country in the United States Army National Guard.  He was Honorably Discharged on June 4, 1962.

On March 26, 1958, LaVern was united in marriage to Joyce Peterson at the Bethany Baptist Church in Hutchinson. This marriage was blessed with four children, Mark, James, Michael and Melinda. LaVern and Joyce lived for one year in Collins Township, McLeod County, and later moved to Acoma Township, McLeod County, Minnesota, where they began to farm and raise their family.  LaVern and Joyce shared 60 years of marriage.

LaVern was employed with the Coca Cola Bottling Company in Hutchinson before he began farming in Collins Township,  and later in Acoma Township. He was a lifetime member of Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.

LaVern enjoyed taking day trips and doing 4-H fair projects with his grandkids, playing cards, camping, woodworking, enjoyed history, and loved antiquing.  He had a special interest in tractors, going to tractor and threshing shows and also enjoyed softball in his younger years.  LaVern cherished the time he got to spend with his family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

LaVern passed away on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota, at the age of 82 years.  Blessed be his memory.

LaVern is survived by his:
Wife, Joyce Hanke of Hutchinson, MN;
Children, Mark Hanke and his wife, Julie of Hutchinson, MN,
                James Hanke of Dassel, MN,
                Michael Hanke and his wife, Michelle of Hutchinson, MN,
                Melinda Anderberg and her husband, Keith of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Angela (Matthew) Holland, Amanda (Kevin) O’Conner, Amy Dettman, Ashlee (Zach) Zimmermann, Kristina (Keith) Johnson, Cody Hanke, Tanner Hanke, Kendra Hanke, Anthony Anderberg, Mitchell Anderberg;
Great-Grandchildren, Mason Holland, Cullen O’Conner, Ashlyn O’Conner, Blair Dettman, Brooks Dettman, Kiley Zimmermann, MacKenzie Johnson, Kacie Holmgren;
Brother, Kermit Hanke and his wife, Sharlene of Hutchinson, MN;
Sisters, Darlene Arneson of Roseau, MN,
              Mary Laabs and her husband, Milton of Hutchinson, MN;
Sister-In-Law, Julie Mielke of Glencoe, MN;
Brother-In-Law, Gary Hahn of Hutchinson, MN;
Nieces, Nephews and many other relatives and friends.

LaVern is preceded in death by his: Parents, Fred and Myrtle Hanke; Brother-In-Law, Richard Arneson; Mother and Father-In-Law, Joe and Rose Peterson; Brothers and Sisters-In-Law, Donald Peterson, Duane Peterson, Darlene Kotila and Shirley Hahn.