Donna J Hanke

Donna Hanke, age 89, of Mankato died Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Mankato.

A Graveside Service will be held at a later date in Brownsville, Minnesota. Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

Donna was born September 12, 1923 to Nels and Mabelle (Bates) Gutteboe in Madison, South Dakota. Following her high school graduation she attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where she received her Bachelor's Degree.

On June 14, 1947 she was united in marriage to Dale Hanke in Capron, Illinois. Donna and Dale shared 63 years of marriage together before his death on September 13, 2010.

Donna was a homemaker and a teacher in Frost, Minnesota. She also worked as the librarian at Mankato West High School and taught piano lessons in Janesville, Minnesota and Mankato. Donna was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church as well as P.E.O. International, Women's Club, Retired Teachers Association of Minnesota (REAM), Kiwanis International, and the International Student Organization at MSU. She enjoyed playing bridge, working on crafts, and reading. Donna and Dale enjoyed traveling, visiting all 50 states and other countries. She also cherished her collection of angels, which she collected from her travels.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters: Donnelle (Joe) Casler of Columbia, MO, and Deanne (Mark) Saari of Rush City, MN; daughter-in-law, Sandra Block of Minneapolis, MN; eight grandchildren: David (Kelly) Casler of Warrensburg, MO, Douglas (Alison) Casler of Cottleville, MO, Deborah (Jason) Stanoch of Bemidji, MN, Jon (Chris Wick) Hanke, Chandra Hanke, and Anneke (Tapio) Haku all of Minneapolis, MN, Asha (Gabriel) Hertler of Fargo, ND, and Matthew (special friend, Jennifer Schuller) Saari of Huntsville, AL; great-grandchildren: Connor and Claire Casler, Zachary Casler, Emma and Jacob Stanoch, Jasper Hanke, and Aila, Jackson and Sabrina Haku; sister-in-law, Lois Goetzinger; nephew Mark (Bonnie) Goetzinger and family, all of Caledonia, MN; and other extended family.

Donna was very involved with the International Student Organzation at Minnesota State University and is also survived by her international family: Tom and Lan Li and grandson, Jimmy of St. Michael, MN; and Yoshie and Hiro Kobayashi of Kagoshima, Japan.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband; son, Dale (Lee) Hanke Jr.; parents; parents-in-law, Roy and Freda Hanke; brother, William Gutteboe; brother-in-law, Ervin (Casey) Goetzinger; sister-in-law, June Hanke; two nephews and one niece.

Memorials may be directed to the International Student Endowment Fund at Minnesota State University, Mankato or to the donor's choice.