Diane K. Hankes

Diane Kay (Hanenberger) Hankes, of Beaver Dam, WI, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 28, 2025, at the age of 74, following 9 months of spirited resistance to pancreatic cancer.

Born in Rochester, MN and raised on a farm outside of Eyota, MN, Diane graduated from Dover-Eyota High School and attended secretarial school in Winona, MN. She migrated to Beaver Dam in 1976 and worked as a medical secretary. A gentle warrior; Diane epitomized tenacity and strength. As a rare stroke victim at age 31, she bravely conquered seemingly insurmountable physical challenges every day since and always with a level of grace, humility, determination, and farmgirl self-reliance that left her family and friends in awe. When interviewed five years after her stroke, she said, “You learn a lot of self-discipline. You learn to be patient with yourself. You learn to be patient with other people as well… you grow up fast. Life isn’t over. There’s always some part left… I have about the best way to be handicapped. I can still take care of my house and family.” Lucky for her, patience proved to be a critical skill in her greatest achievement, raising a successful close-knit family who consistently reflect her kindness, courage, humor, and love.

Throughout her life, Diane enjoyed baking, reading, chocolate, and crocheting. She valued time with family and especially enjoyed her sizable family gatherings where she surprisingly developed an oft unattainable appreciation for the Hankes brand of humor. As a dog lover, she always spoiled the family pets with frequent walks, homemade treats, and adoring attention. Missed most will be hearing her unmistakable, multioctave laugh, time around the family table enjoying her hearty hot dishes and decadent desserts made with love, her explicit eyerolls, her witty retorts to Jim’s playful banter, and the heartwarming comfort of her thoughtful conversation.

Diane is survived by her devoted and loving husband of nearly 46 years, Jim Hankes; her children Jake Hankes, Jess Franko (Ray), Chad Ihrke (Christy), Jon Hankes (Twila), Craig Ihrke (Ashley), and Laura Hankes (Lucas Reddell); her grandchildren Jonah, Isabel, Alex, Nixie, Becca, Henry, Carter, Theo, Mason, Charlotte, Lucy, Rayna, Wyatt, Harlow, and Kyla; and her brothers David and Dean Hanenberger; Jim’s siblings, Tom (Janean) Hankes, Paul (Julie) Hankes, Jack (Debbie) Hankes, Jerry (Donna) Hankes, Steve (Gini) Hankes, Barb (Tom “Tug”) Thomson, and Chris (Bill) Champeau; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Elaine Hanenberger; and her nephews, Mick, David, and Daniel Hankes.

A memorial gathering will be held at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 511 S. Spring Street in Beaver Dam, on Friday, September 5th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. At 12:00 p.m., everyone is invited to join the family for a luncheon at St. Katharine Drexel Parish Center, Mission Hall, 408 S. Spring Street in Beaver Dam.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the UW Health Carbone Cancer Center (give.wiscmedicine.org) or Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue (www.cocosheartdogrescue.org/donate).