Alma M. Hanke

Alma M. Hanke, 91, Marathon, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2002 under the care of Comfort Care and Hospice Services at her home. Alma was born July 25, 1910 in the town of Maine, daughter of the late William and Martha (Bartett) Zastrow. On June 28, 1930, she married Walter Hanke at Grace Lutheran Church, Town of Maine. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage until he passed away on May 12, 1993. Alma and her husband farmed in the town of Rib Falls and Stettin and raised ginseng. Being a homemaker as well as gardening were among her favorite things to do. Alma was a member of the St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, Marathon. Alma was the loving mother of three sons and two daughters. She is survived by her children; Verna (Larry) Gerhart, Wausau, Orville (Darlene) Hanke, Ronald (Judy) Hanke, Janice (Wayne) Lang, all of Marathon; one daughter-in-law, Karmen Hanke, Marathon; 15 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Herbert Hanke and five sisters-in-law, Jenny Zastrow, Sylvia Rux, Ethel Brandt, Adline Hanke and Erna Blank; many nieces and nephews. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Marvin Hanke; four brothers, Reno, Arthur, Elmer and Raymond Zastrow; one sister, Dorothy. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 24, 2002 at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, Marathon. Reverend Terry Reich will officiate. Entombment will be in the Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, and again on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church Organ Fund, Marathon. Alma will be sadly missed and will always be remembered by her family and friends. The family of Alma would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Community Health Care Wausau Hospital.