Irene Hanke

MADISON-Irene “Shirley” Hanke, age 74, of Madison, passed away on Friday, March 16, 2012, AT St. Mary’s Hospital. She was born on Jan. 22, 1938, in Wonewoc, the daughter of Charles and Irene (Nobs) Henry Sr. Shirley graduated from Elroy High School, Juneau County Teachers’ College in New Lisbon and UW-Whitewater. She was united in marriage to Keith C. Fehrman on June 13, 1964 in Elroy. He preceded her in death in 1976. Shirley married Richard F. Hanke on July 6, 1985. She taught school for 34 years in Richland Center, Waunakee and Madison, with her last 20 years at Marquette/O’Keefe Middle School. Shirley was a member of WREA, MAREA, NEA, and Delta Kappa Gamma Phi Chapter (1963). She began writing the Messiah Spotlight monthly regarding information on church members. Shirley organized a book drive yearly for free book delivery to elementary and middle schools in the Madison Metro School District. Thousands of books have been given through the years by many sources; Messiah Lutheran, MARET, St. Vincent de Paul and many individuals to children in need. Shirley enjoyed doing crafts, sewing, crocheting, baking and the friendship of so many. Shirley is survived by her son, Brian (Vickie) Fehrman of Sun Prairie; daughter, Karin (Jeremy) Ace of New Glarus; step-daughters, Sally (Jeff) Nelson of Stoughton, and Katherine (Norm) Peth of Stoughton; step-son, Jeffrey Hanke of Madison; four granddaughters, Emily, Nicole, Kallie and Jayce; step-grandchildren, Ryan, Heather, Richard, Robert, Trenton, Corbin, Casey, Cody and Tara; four step-great-grandchildren; sister, Sarah Kolstad of Arpin; brother, Charles (Marilyn) Henry Jr. of Janesville; sister-in-law, Charlotte Wirts of Ashland City, Tenn.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Keith Fehrman; step-son, James Hanke; and brothers-in-law, Erlan Kolstad and Leon Wirts. Funeral services will be held at MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2012, with the Rev. Jeff VandenHeuvel presiding. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at the church from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, March 23, 2012, and also from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Messiah Lutheran Building Fund, Delta Kappa Gamma Phi Chapter for educational scholarships, or MAREA-Scholarship fund for future education majors. A special thank you to the Oregon Manor Nursing Home, St. Mary’s Hospital 4SW and 8SW, Amy Nicholson N.P., and Dr. Albert Musa for their kindness, friendship, and great care they gave Shirley during her times of illness. Cemetery: Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Messiah Lutheran Building Fund, Delta Kappa Gamma Phi Chapter for educational scholarships, or MAREA-Scholarship fund for future education majors. Visitation will be at the church from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, March 23, 2012, and also from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Funeral services will be held at MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2012, with the Rev. Jeff VandenHeuvel presiding.