Verna E. H. Hanke

Verna E. H. Hanke 91, Marathon joined her husband, Lawrence, in eternal rest on Monday, April 27, 2009 at Wausau Manor Nursing Home. She was born August 23, 1917 in the town of Stettin, daughter of the late Carl and Albertina (Roeder) Steidinger. On October 26, 1935, she married Lawrence H. Hanke at Trinity Lutheran Church, town of Stettin. He preceded her in death on January 4, 1979. Verna had been a member of Rib Falls Methodist Church since her marriage to Lawrence in 1935. Together, they farmed in the Rib Falls area for many years and Verna loved to feed the heifers and was very particular when it came to her home and yard. She also worked in the kitchen at the Rib River Ballroom until she was 80 years old and truly enjoyed the friendships with her co-workers. Among her many interests, she enjoyed reading, traveling, shopping and driving around the countryside, checking on her children and grandchildren and enjoying the beautiful crops and flowers all around. Verna will be remembered for her love of cooking and baking, especially her special homemade doughnuts, peanut bars, apple pies, chocolate cake and her applesauce. She spoke the German language fluently and had many conversations with her two sons and her brother, Gene, using the German language. Verna was a very special mother to four children, Ronald (Elaine) Hanke, Allan (Jacquelyn) Hanke, Gloria (David) Matthiae and Marilyn (Tom) Butalla, all of Marathon; 11 grandchildren, Bruce (Dawn) Hanke, Bryan Hanke, Brenda (Doug) Stencil, Lisa (Todd) Lorbiecki, Stacey Hanke, Crystal (Todd Johnson) Hanke, Michael (Sue) Matthiae, Michele (Jerry) Natzke, Sheila (Troy) Pyan, Shawn (Kathy) Butalla and Shannon (Rachel) Butalla; 24 great grandchildren, Justin and Gabrielle Hanke, Olivia and Julia Lorbiecki, Jayla Johnson, Melissa, Kristin, Kaitlyn and Ryan Matthiae, Lauren, Monica, Kayleigh, Jeremy and Justin Natzke, Allison, Anna and Erika Stencil, Zachary and Zeth Pyan, Bryn and Adyson Butalla and Claire, Brett and William Butalla; one brother, Gene (Betty) Steidinger, Marathon; three sisters-in-law, Elaine Steidinger, Phyllis (Clarence) Kostecki, both of Wausau and Valieta Hanke, Marathon; and many nieces, nephews and special friends. Besides her parents and husband, Lawrence, she was preceded in death by two infant daughters, Phyllis and Patricia; one infant son, Virgil; three brothers, Reinhold, Hilton and Vilas Steidinger; and five sisters, Esther Fellbaum, Elsie Semerau, Erna Thurs, Sadie Strei and Lucille Steidinger. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 1, 2009 at Rib Falls United Methodist Church. Pastor Steve Booher will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon and again Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Mark Hoffman as well as the staff at Cardiovascular Associates, Dr. Joel Tikalsky and Jenny, all First Responders and staff at Wausau Manor for all the care and support given to Verna and her family. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com