Kenneth H Hanke

Kenneth H. Hanke, age 99 of Wahoo, died Wednesday, November 8, 2023 in Wahoo. He was born August 2, 1924 at Fort Robinson, Nebraska to Rudolf and Marie (Hageman) Hanke. While in high school, he played basketball and continued to follow that sport by attending local teams. Following high school, Ken attended Luther College in Wahoo. He helped build the Ordnance Plant in Mead, and later served his country by enlisting in the Army. Ken served in Italy and helped construct a bridge over Po River, the longest river in Italy. After returning home, he worked for a time in Lincoln before making farming his vocation. Ken also worked part time for Ernie’s in Ceresco first installing TV antennas and later working as a salesman. Ken was one of the first two employees at Ernie’s. On September 28, 1946 he married Grace Helms. They traveled to Kansas for the ceremony where one of Ken’s favorite pastors was then serving.

Ken was a member of the Ceresco American Legion Post #244 and Wahoo VFW Post #4502. Being a lifelong member of Swedeburg Covenant Church, he faithfully served the church in many capacities. Ken was very civic minded and donated generously to many community organizations. He was a fan of NASCAR with an unshakeable loyalty to #24 Jeff Gordon and was a faithful card player. His Tuesday night poker games with Pat Cerny, Linda Kapple, Larry Johnson and Phyllis Wagner brought him great joy. Ken’s family thanks his poker friends as well as Sharon Andresen for their fellowship.

He is survived by his daughter Carolyn Fisher of Wahoo; son and daughter-in-law Gary and Nancy Hanke of Wahoo; sister Darlene Anderson; sister-in-law Ila Helms; grandchildren Paula (Chris) Bouc, Brian Fisher and Amy Fisher; great-grandchildren Rhett, Lainey and Jasper Bouc. Ken was preceded in death by his wife Grace, grandson Mitch Hanke, son-in-law Don Fisher, and siblings Ruth Lindquist, Retha Treptow, Harold Hanke, and Loren Hanke.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, November 14, at Swedeburg Covenant Church. Interment will take place at Sunrise Cemetery Tuesday at 1:30 pm. Visitation will be Monday 5-7 pm at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Swedeburg Covenant Church.