Bernadette Genevieve Hankes, 92, of Beaver Dam, died on January 16, 2016 at her home surrounded by her family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at St. Katherine Drexel Catholic Church in Beaver Dam. The Reverend Father Michael Erwin will be the celebrant. A visitation will also be held on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the church. Inurnment will take place at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date.
Bernadette was born on April 4, 1923 in Campbellsport, the sixth daughter of Herman and Mary (Theisen) Wondra. She was married to the love of her life, Edward A. Hankes on June 22, 1946 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Parish, Cambellsport.
She is survived by her children: Edward (Kris) Hankes of Bluffton, Indiana, Ann (Gary) Jensen of Oconomowoc, David (Val) Hankes of Weston, Andrew (Carrie) Hankes of Omro, and Maria Hankes of Schofield; grandchildren: Nicholas and Matthew Hankes, Ted and Sarah Jensen, Alycia Hankes, Abby Hankes and Kacie Graf; brother, Andrew (Mary Ann) Wondra, and sister, Yvonne (Bud) Kuen and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, a daughter Marguerite Mary in infancy, her parents, six brothers: Norbert, Carroll, James, Alfred, David, and Herman Wondra, and five sisters: Olive Buerger, Marie Renzel, Odilia Krueger, Frances Buchta, and Petronella Kaiser.
Bernadette attended St. Matthew’s Catholic School, Cambellsport High School, and Fond du Lac Business School. She was employed in Milwaukee for six years as a secretary. She moved to Beaver Dam after marrying Ed where they resided for the rest of their lives. Bernadette continued in a law office in Beaver Dam after her children were grown. Music was always an important part of her life. She enjoyed playing the piano and teaching the techniques to young children. She also loved to sing, performing in her high school musicals as well as the Milwaukee Catholic Symphony and Chorus. She was a very active member of St. Katherine Drexel Parish, where she helped to co-found the New Life Choir with her husband, and spent many hours volunteering for the Catholic Women’s Society. She liked to keep up with her game shows and all Wisconsin sports. She and Ed enjoyed many trips together, visiting Europe, Canada, Israel and many areas of the U.S. They also liked to combine their love of camping and golfing on their trips around Wisconsin.
Memorials may be directed to the St. Vincent DePaul Society.
The Hankes family would like to thank Hillside Hospice in Beaver Dam for all their care and support.
Koepsell-Murray Funeral and Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com.
