Norman Paul Hanke
Poy Sippi, Wisconsin

Norman Paul Hanke, age 93, of Poy Sippi, died Thursday, November 12, 2009, at Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh. He was born September 13, 1916, in rural Tigerton to the late Paul and Esther (Krause) Hanke. At age 22, Norman began working for Howard Smith at the Fountain Valley Nursery in the Town of Poy Sippi, and on August 30, 1939, he married the boss's daughter, Betty Smith, at her home. In 1950 Norman and Betty bought the farm next to the nursery. He loved the comfort and joy of owning his own farm. Norman continued farming and in 1954 he also began working at Morgan Doors in Oshkosh, until retiring in 1981. Prior to retiring Norman and Betty developed a love of camping and hiking, and after retirement they purchased a motor home and became members of the Born Free Safari Club, traveling west to Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and to eastern Canada. Norman's duties with the club were the chopping of the wood and building the evening campfires. He was a member of the Poy Sippi Seventh-Day Adventist Church, where he served as a Sabbath School Superintendent, among other duties.
Norman is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty Hanke, of Oshkosh; three children, Daryl (Mary) Hanke, of Pine River; Marlene (Terry) Seifert, of Butte des Morts; Beverly (John) Ross, of Wisconsin Rapids; grandchildren, Diane Hanke, of Oshkosh; Debra (John Paul) Navarro, of Naperville, Illinois; Kelly (Fonda) Seifert, of Berrien Center, Michigan; Shelly (Seth) Morrison, of Berrien Springs, Michigan; and Katie Ross, of Sydney, Australia; great-grandchildren, John-Luke, Nicholas, and Alexander Navarro; Zachary and Nathan Seifert; and Luke Patrick and Evie Jane Morrison; three sisters, Alta Johnson, of Waupaca; Juanita Nielsen, of Weyauwega; Phyllis Johns, of Florida; one brother, Duane (Sandy) Hanke, of Birnamwood; and nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, Norman was also preceded in death by two brothers, Vilas and Willis Hanke; and one sister, Dorothy Kobs.
Cremation has taken place and a Committal Service and inurnment will be held on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. at the Poy Sippi Cemetery. A Memorial Service will be on Monday, November 16 at 3:00 p.m. at the Fox Valley Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 265 S. Green Bay Rd. Neenah. Pastor Samuel Garbi will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Norman's name can be made to the charity of your choice.

Mueller Funeral Home
904 E. Main St. P.O. Box 250
Winneconne, WI 54986
(920) 582-4242
Please submit online condolences to
www.muellerfuneralhomeinc.com