September 20, 2024

Phyllis E. Hanke

Fontanelle

By Submitted by family
Marilyn Garst, 93, of Coon Rapids, formerly of Creston, died Friday, August 9, 2024 at Thomas Rest Haven Nursing Home in Coon Rapids. Services are pending at Powers Funeral Home in Creston. Online condolences may be made at www.powersfh.com.

Phyllis E. Hanke, 87, of Fontanelle, died Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Contributed )

Phyllis Eilene Hanke, 87, went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Aug. 3, 2024. Services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 416 Scott Street, Fontanelle. A luncheon will be held at the church immediately following the service.

Phyllis was born Jan. 31, 1937, to LaVern and Arlene (Lewis) Pool in Bevington. She was the oldest of three children. Her early years were spent on a farm northeast of Fisk until her family moved to Highland Park on the north side of Des Moines in 1945. She started school at Richland Township Consolidated and graduated from Des Moines North High School in January 1956.

She married Alfred Hanke on Jan. 3, 1957, and to this union four children were born. The couple first made their home in Highland Park until moving to Sheridan Park on the east side of Des Moines. Phyllis studied for her nursing degree while raising her four children and one foster child. She graduated as a registered nurse in 1974 and worked at Des Moines area hospitals until her retirement.

Following retirement, Phyllis and Al moved from Des Moines to the Hanke family farm north of Fontanelle. Although Al passed away in 2003, Phyllis continued to live on the farm until the last few months of her life. She enjoyed the tranquility of the farm and the companionship of her dogs, cats and horses. She was also an avid traveler who took many bus trips to attractions around the country as well as cruises to Hawaii and Alaska and a recent trip to Europe.

She was a member of the Red Hat Society and the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle.

Phyllis is survived by her four children: Teresa (Kenyon) Wood of Des Moines, Brian (Jane) Hanke of Fontanelle, Bret (Teri) Hanke of Mingo and Andrew Hanke of Brooklyn; one foster son, Mark Reddick of Phoenix, Arizona; seven grandchildren: Aimee Cortese, Emily Cortese, Brian Wood, Austin Wood, Alex Wood, Meghann Hernandez and Katelyn Sande; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Larry Pool of Des Moines; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Alfred; parents, LaVern and Arlene Pool and infant brother, James Pool.

Memorials may be directed to the family of Phyllis. Online condolences may be left at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.