Richard T. Hanke, age 76, died on December 3, 2015 at the North Central Healthcare Center in Wausau, WI. Richard was born on December 16, 1938 to the late Ray and Elma (Masten) Hanke in Chicago, IL. He attended and graduated from Ela Vernon High School in Lake Zurich, IL. in 1958. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard. Richard met and fell in love with Ruth Ann McIntire, and they were joined in marriage on October 29, 1960 in Waukegan, Ill. She preceded him in death on June 21, 2007.
Richard was a truck driver for over 30 years. He mainly worked with Schneider Transport and Bloom. When Richard was not on the road working, he would spend time collecting and restoring his tractors, his motto was “anything can be fixed with duct tape and spit shine!” He also enjoyed collecting trucks and cars, and would often have them displayed throughout the house. Richard liked to put together model cars and trucks, especially Franklin Mint models. He was an avid toy collector. Along with being a toy collector, he would make sure that he would get a hat and t-shirt from everywhere that the road took him. Richard was a member of the Teamsters Trucking Union. Family was very important to Richard, and he loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He kept in close touch with his classmates and was very good at recognizing people that he knew from years ago. Richard was the life of the party, very social and was well-liked by all who knew him. He will be sadly missed.
Richard is survived by his children: Richard R.A. Hanke, Robert F. (Annette) Hanke, Raymond (Eric Corrales) Hanke, Roberta L.M. Hanke, Renata L.(Thomas) LaMarr, Eden Brennan and Donna LaCoste. Grandchildren: Cody Hanke, Andrea Diederichs, Nick Zindrick, Amber(Agustin) Zavala, Jennifer Hazim,, Alicia (Matt) Kucirek, Austin Voigt, Chyloe LaMarr, Cassandra LaMarr, Christian LaMarr, Patrick. Brennan, Micheal Brennan, great grandchildren: Gracie Diederichs, Jera Lopez, Jaeda Elizondo, Jazmin Elizondo, Jocelyn Zavala, Peyton Kucirek, Morgan Kucirek, Chase Kucirek,, Hunter W.R. Mahn, Lorelei R.A. Mahn, sisters: Patricia (Greg) Gazda and Debbie Andrade, brother-in-laws: Owen (Sharon) McIntire and Daniel (Beth) McIntire. He was preceded in death by his parents: Ray and Elma Hanke, his wife: Ruth Ann Hanke, grandsons: Elisihua Hanke and Jordan M. Hanke.
Funeral Services for Richard will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 12 noon at Waid Funeral Home in Merrill, WI. Rev. Missy Holdorf will officiate. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2015 from 10am until the time of the service, also at the funeral home. Military honors will be performed by VFW Post #1638 immediately following the service at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be: Owen McIntire, Richard Hanke, Robert Hanke, Ray Hanke, Cody Hanke, Austin Voigt, Christian LaMarr and Thomas LaMarr.
Waid Funeral Home of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.waidfuneral.com.