Al Hanke
December 27, 2007
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Service Details
Al Wesley Hanke
Des Moines
Al Wesley Hanke, 38, passed from this life on Thursday, December 27, 2007. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, 510 East 1st Street, Ankeny. Burial will follow at Ankeny Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue.
Al was born on September 18, 1969, in Des Moines. He graduated from North Scott High School in 1988, attended Des Moines Area Community College, Kirkwood community College and graduated from the University of Iowa. During his career he had been a manager at Best Buy, Guardian Glass and a plant manager for Honda. He owned and operated Hanke Carpentry.
Al deeply loved his family, especially his wife Stephanie, who was his High School sweetheart, his son Bryce, the light of his life, his mother Norma and his brother Luke. He enjoyed teaching Bryce to play baseball, lifting weights and spending time with family and friends. He was treasured by those who knew and loved him for his sense of humor, his storytelling and his deep love, compassion and loyalty to others.
Al is survived and will be missed by his wife, Stephanie and son Bryce Hanke; mother, Norma Hanke; brother, Luke Hanke; grandmother, Evelyn Hanke; uncle, Dale (Lynnea) Hanke; uncle, Dean Engelman; father and mother-in-law, Pat and Jolyn McDonald; sisters-in-law, Melissa (Joe) Brimeyer, Megan (Ben) Sheeler; brother-in-law, Scott (Lindsey) McDonald, many cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bryce Hanke; brother, Matthew Hanke; grandfather, Wesley Hanke; grandparents, Arnold and Dorothy Engelman; uncle, Dennis Engelman; great uncle and aunt, Wilbur and Lois Hanke, and friend DJ Clark.
In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to his son Bryce’s education fund.
Todd McGhghy
01/01/2008
12-29-07
The Hanke Family,
Since the news of Als passing, I have found myself sitting around and remembering all of the times we had together. I want to share some of these thoughts with you.
Al was a great friend, he was my best friend. Since we had somewhat grown apart into our adult lives, the only things that seemed to bring us together were tragedy. The death of his father Bryce, the death of his brother Matt, and now, his own passing.
After his brother Matts funeral services, we had some brief time together alone. I had brought up the fact that we had grown apart. I joked of having no friends where I was living. I told Al that he would always be my best friend regardless of where we were. Al gave the typical Al response that let me know that he understood and all was good. He crossed fingers and gave a big grin and said, I know bro. We hugged and I returned home.
In High School, Al had unconditional respect and friendship for me. Al knew that I lived alone. He knew that I had no money. He knew that I had no clothes. He knew that I was too ashamed to eat the free lunches at school. He would give me his own lunches on a regular basis. He would always lecture me about how Bryce and Norma were on him about all the lunches that Al was eating. He always asked me to spend the night at his house. He never hesitated to give me a ride to school. Anyone who knew either of us knew we were best friends, inseparable. They also knew that if you messed with one, you got the other. Most of the time, I was the other.
In the brief times that we did get together after High School, Al was quick to point out all of my accomplishments, especially around groups of people. He knew everything. He knew that I was an All-American; he knew that I was finishing my Masters degree; he knew that my brother was drafted into the NFL. He had researched these things himself. Most recently, he was quick to defend me when I was fired as a college football coach. He was proud of me, genuinely proud. He didnt care that we had grown apart; he took the time to research how I was doing. He hadnt learned these things from me. He knew the battles that I was up against; Al wasnt going to let anyone or anything shoot me down.
Als biggest battle with life stemmed from his unwillingness to show weakness. He had too much pride to ask for help or admit he was dealing with anything he couldnt handle. As a person, as a father, as a son, as a nephew, as a grandson, as a brother, and as a friend, he was set on showing all of us that he had everything under control. In his time of passing, it gives me peace to know that his extreme sense of pride was the product of a passion, respect, and love for all of us. He wanted all of you, all of us, to be proud of him. He didnt want to let us down.
Now that Al is gone, I cant help but recognize the irony associated with his unselfishness. Even though he was battling some of his own demons, he relished the opportunity to put all of us upon a pedestal. He made me feel special and gave me the confidence and courage to keep going and doing what is right regardless of what I may be up against. He wanted me, and others to know that I had it under control. Als proud and protective attitude didnt stop with me. I can attest, as his best friend, Al was very proud and protective of all of you. I can recall the tremendous stories of Matt before and after his accident. I recall how much he wanted to impress his father Bryce. I remember stories about how his cousin Joe, and how he owned his own business, about how his wife owned and operated a restaurant, about how his son Bryce played football and baseball, and about his mother Norma. More than anything, Al wanted Norma to be happy. He always mentioned how strong of a woman she is.
Al is and always will be the best friend anyone could ever have. He was a great person with a great heart. He definitely is and always will be the best friend that I ever had and ever will have. I will always think about him. I will always miss him.
Todd McGhghy
Jeanine Hernandez Cox
01/01/2008
Dear Steph and Bryce,
Stephanie, I don,t know what to say at a time like this only how very sorry we all were to hear about Al. I know how deeply you guys loved one another and Bryce. Tammy is so worried about you. When you are feeling up to talking or if you need anything you just call us honey. {563}285-6216. Al was a great person, but I know you of all people know that. God be with you all.
Love, Jeanine
Jim and Sue Foote
12/31/2007
Dear Norma and Luke:
If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there. We both want to express our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Please know that we are thinking of you and praying for you. Praying that God will ease your pain. I can't imagine how hard this is for you, but we know that someday we will be reunited with our loved ones, and hopefully that will give you some comfort. Call upon God in your time of trouble and he will be your strength and salvation.
With love and sympathy,
Jim and Sue
terry hamby
12/30/2007
dear steph,bryce,hanke family
i have talk to ron kurt brian friday night.we are all sorry to hear about this accident.al was a good friend ,he always had that smile and a helping hand for anyone.we are very lucky to have a friend like al in the short time he had with us.remember though he's in a safe place now with his brother looking down at you and little al,hanke family.if we can help you in any way just holler.
our thoughts & prays go out to the hanke
family
hamby,burchette,surich,monore