Daniel Charles Hanke, 65, of Irma, WI, left his temporary home and went onto his forever home Saturday June 30th 2018, surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Daniel was born on October 21st, 1952 in Wausau to the late Walter and Evangeline (Hickman) Hanke. Daniel graduated from Wausau Senior High in the spring of 1970.
He started his college degree at the University of Wisconsin-Marathon and then transferred and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in Sociology. For many years he worked for the state as a youth counselor at Ethan Allen Boys School in Wales, WI and Lincoln Hills School in Irma, WI. Dan retired from the State of Wisconsin as a Probation and Parole agent with the Department of Juvenile Corrections in 2009.
Dan had a passion for sports and held multi-sport season tickets. He especially enjoyed watching and talking anything Wisconsin Badgers. One of his favorite hobbies was fishing in Canada.
During his lifetime he made 30 plus trips up to Canada, often inviting along friends and family to join in on his fishing trips. Many of his childrens’ favorite childhood memories involved their trips up to Canada with their Dad. He is survived by his children: Destiny, Danny and Serena Hanke, all of Tomahawk, his brother: Walter (Delpha) Hanke of Bradenton, Florida, his sister: Judith Schmidt of Greenfield, WI, his nephews: Daniel (Jessica) Hanke, Tristan (Jessica) Schmidt, and Ian (Leilani) Schmidt, his nieces: Sandra and son Alexander, Sabrina Schmidt and Sydney Sizemore.
He is also survived by his former spouse and friend Carey Heikkinen as well as many great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends. The family of Dan Hanke would like to thank his oncologist Dr. Niaz Haque, MD, all of the staff in the Aspirus Oncology Unit as well as the staff in the Aspirus Cancer Center for how respectful and caring they were for both Dan and his family. We’d also like to thank Pastor Mark Zeimer for the many trips to the hospital and Dan’s personal home for prayer, comfort and conversations.
Finally, a very special thank you to Sabrina Schmidt, Dan’s niece, for her compassionate care for Dan during his in home hospice. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 7, 2018 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 512 McClellan St., Wausau. Reverend Jennifer Dahle will officiate.
Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4;00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday at the Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St. Wausau and at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
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