Bernice M. Hanke (nee Franke)

Bernice M. (nee Franke) Hanke, 81, of Brownsville, entered eternal life on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on August 23, 1936, in LeRoy, the daughter of the late Alphonse and Erna (nee Gassner) Franke and on May 5, 1956, she was united in marriage to Eugene Hanke at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in LeRoy.

Bernice was the president of Fond du Lac Area Credit Union for the majority of her career.  She started at the young age of 16 working at the Bank of Oakfield and later worked at the bank in Brownsville and Lomira.  Bernice also enjoyed cooking at several area restaurants through her career.   She was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lomira where she was involved in Christian Mothers and helped for many years with the church rummage sale.

In her free time Bernice enjoyed gardening, canning, baking, keeping memory books, collecting dolls, picking raspberries, and spending time with her family.  She was especially fond of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and trusted her to watch over her and the family.

Those Bernice leaves behind to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 61 years, Eugene; five sons, Michael (Sandra) Hanke of Lomira, Paul (Ann Marie) Hanke of LeRoy, William (Pamela) Hanke of Taycheedah, Dennis (Maureen “Peanut “) Hanke of Mayville, and Andrew (Kim) Hanke of Mayville; ten grandchildren, Kristel (Richard) Sorensen and Julie (Sean) Oulton, Ryan and Zoey Hanke, Adam (Kristen) Hanke , Luke Hanke , Brittany (Kevin) Grotelueschen, , and Stacey, Brock, and Bryce Hanke; seven great-grandchildren, Sebastian and Madeline Oulton, Eliana Sorensen, Ashton and Addison Hanke, and Eden and Eli Grotelueschen; eight sister-in-laws, Ermanelda Franke, Wanda Schuh, Sylvia (Delmar) Petrie, Eunice Scheberl, Rosemary “Mimi" Washick, Roseanne Palkovich, Angie (Howie) Scheberl, and Darlene Bauer; three brothers-in-law, Arnold Walters ,Lloyd Hanke , and Dave Hanke, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Bernice was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Franke; a sister, Catherine Walters; her parents-in-law, William and Rose Hanke; two sisters-in-law, Violet Hanke and Donna Hanke, and six brothers-in-law, Merlin “Buddy” Hanke, Gene Schuh, Richie Scheberl, RayPalkovich, Art Washick, and Dennis Bauer.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Bernice will be held at Noon, on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 699 Milwaukee St., in Lomira.  Rev. Michael Petersen will officiate and burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

The Hanke family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of mass.

The Myrhum Patten Miller & Kietzer Funeral Homes have been entrusted with Bernice’s arrangements.  Additional information and guest book may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.

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