MADISON - Anke Boudreau, age 74, of Madison, passed away on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, from a car accident in Ogallala, NE. Anke was born on Oct. 9, 1947, in Kirn an der Nahe, Germany, the daughter of Annalisa and Helmut Huenecke. Anke spent her childhood in Bremen, Germany and was proud to call it her hometown. Anke married John Rosenberg on July 24, 2000, in Madison, WI.

Anke earned an undergraduate degree in Social Work and master’s degree in Educational Psychology with a focus on forgiveness theory. Anke began her career working many years as a victim witness specialist in the District Attorney’s office of Milwaukee and was proud of the impact she had on her clients and the community she served. Anke volunteered at the American Red Cross, initially at the elementary and high school that her children attended and later in life as a disaster relief volunteer. This took her to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York following 9/11 and to other relief efforts in Louisiana, Missouri, and Washington; then closer to home in Viola and Cambria, Wisconsin. Anke also found time to volunteer for Agrace HospiceCare where she co-facilitated grief groups and attended the front desk at the Day Center. At the Veterans Hospital she logged countless hours helping with office work, sat vigil for the “No Veteran Dies Alone” program, tended to patients awaiting transplant, attended honor flight ceremonies, and assisted in receiving National Guard Soldiers following deployment.

Anke had saltwater running through her veins. She loved to whale watch and walk the beaches of the Pacific Northwest and the German North Sea, especially Spiekeroog Island, where she didn’t mind getting caught in the tide. John and Anke loved to travel; they went to Germany many times to visit family, Egypt, Thailand, Cambodia, Morocco, Italy, Canada and all over the U.S. Anke logged countless hours walking throughout her travels and continued at home with her daily meditative two hour walks. Anke enjoyed being in nature among the flowers and birds. She loved languages, especially keeping up with her German by reading German literature and lovingly writing almost daily letters to her relatives overseas. Anke also enjoyed reading books and watching movies with John. Aside from ice cream, one of her favorite foods was Matjes (a herring dish).

Anke is survived by her husband, John Rosenberg; children, Jeff (Staci) Boudreau, Jack (Betsy) Boudreau, and Dawn (Scott) Cheney; seven adoring grandchildren: Samantha, Austin, Tobias, and Charlie Boudreau and Collin, Oliver, and Anika Cheney; stepmother, Jutta Huenecke; sister, Dorothee (Peter) Bach; sister-in-law, Insa Heyde; nieces, Anke Waterkamp, Annalisa and Annagreta Huenecke; sister-in-law, Hannah Gradwohl; niece-in-law, Jane (Justin) Nash, Kathy (Tony) Flaminio, and Lisa Mann (Gradwohl). She was preceded in death by her parents; little brother, Heinz Helmut Huenecke; former spouse, Lynn Eugene Boudreau; her kindred soul, Pat Hoff; brother-in-law, David Gradwohl; and nephew-in-law, Steve Gradwohl.

Come celebrate Anke's life starting at 1 p.m. until service at 3 p.m. at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023.

Memorials may be made in Anke's honor at Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

"I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect, for I shall not pass this way again."

~Stephen Grellet

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Anke Boudreau

October 09, 1947 - September 26, 2022

Share photos of Anke