Karen K. Hanke

Jan. 12, 1939-March 10, 2005

Karen Kay Hanke died Thursday, March 10, 2005, at McCook Community Hospital. She was 66 years old.

Karen was born Jan. 12, 1939, at Oberlin, Kan., to Myron Lee and Pearl Edna (Pearson) Pollnow. She graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1956 and was homecoming queen in 1955.

On Aug. 10, 1964, she married Dr. Vernon Harold "Bud" Hanke at Cheyenne, Wyo. To this union two children were born. They made their home in McCook where Karen was a homemaker.

She was a charter member of the Open Door Extension Club in Red Willow County, volunteered and was president for two years for Meals-on-Wheels and room mother for her children's school and was an avid reader, flower gardener, and cook. She loved and cared for stray cats.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Myron and Pearl Pollnow.

Survivors include her husband, Bud Hanke of McCook; son, Chris Hanke and wife, Heather of Lincoln; daughter, Shannon Hanke of Lincoln; three sisters, Doreen and husband, Everett Schuler of Oberlin, Melvalyn and husband, Gary Guinn of Oberlin and Connie and husband, Jerry Grochowski of Pacifica, Calif.; three grandchildren, Farren, Broc and Greyson Hanke all of Lincoln; and beloved cat, Pebbles.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the McCook Library, Meals-on-Wheels or American Cancer Society.

There will be no public visitation. Friends may sign her book at the funeral home or go online at www.carpenterbreland.com to extend condolences.

Graveside funeral services are Monday, March 14, 2005, 10:30 a.m., at Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Clark Bates. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family requests friends join them for a dinner at the Evangelical Free Church at 11:30 a.m.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.