Jean M. Hanke

Jean M. Hanke, age 89, died Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at her home in Monroe Center following a sudden illness. She was born December 25, 1934 in the family home near Lindenwood, IL, the daughter of Leonard and Martha (Brandt) Knoll. She attended Lindenwood grade schools and graduated from Rochelle High School in 1953. Jean married Raymond G. Hanke on June 25, 1955 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lindenwood. Together she and her husband Ray owned and operated the Stillman Valley Gulf Station from 1964 – 1971 and then became affiliated with Sunoco, changing the name to Stillman Valley Sunoco Service until their retirement in 1993. She was very proud to be a homemaker raising her 2 daughters Beverly and Julie. Jean was a lifetime member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lindenwood, IL where she was baptized, confirmed and married to Raymond. She also was a member of the church quilting club and volunteer at the church food pantry. She loved tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. Most of all Jean loved being with and cooking for her family. She was predeceased by her parents Leonard and Martha Knoll, her husband Raymond Hanke, her brother Roy Knoll, and her sister Ella Lilja. She is survived by her daughters Beverly (Brian) Johnson of Byron, IL and Julie (Terry) Patrick of Winnebago, IL; grandchildren Megan Thibodeau of Byron, IL; Kristen (Mike) Boyer of Byron, IL; Shawn Patrick (Alyssa Heslop) of Winnebago, IL; and Sara Patrick of Winnebago, IL; 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM, Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lindenwood, IL with the Rev. Matthew Rosebrock pastor of the church officiating. 

Visitation will be from 9:30 until 10:45 AM prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow the service at Stillman Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is established in Jean’s name for the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Lindenwood and the Serenity Hospice and Home near Oregon, IL.