Daryl Norman Hanke

Daryl Norman Hanke, age 83, of Pine River, died peacefully on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at ThedaCare Medical Center-Berlin, one day before his 84th birthday, from complications of a stroke/heart attack he suffered on Wednesday, July 9.

He was born July 14, 1941, at Fountain Valley Nursery in the Town of Poy Sippi, WI, the son of Norman and Beth Smith Hanke. He grew up on the family farm south of the nursery and attended Fountain Valley School through 8th grade. He was a 1959 graduate of Wisconsin Academy in Columbus, WI. After one semester at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI, he returned to Poy Sippi and began work as a welder at Berlin Chapman Company.

In 1963, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and received training at Fort Riley in Manhattan, Kansas, and medical training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, with additional training in Florida. In the Big Red 1, U.S. Army, 1st Division, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry, he served in Vietnam as a medic. He was honorably discharged December 5, 1965, and returned to work at Berlin Chapman Company. On December 4, 1966, he was united in marriage to Mary Hulburt. Daryl and Mary lived in Poy Sippi, later building a home in rural Pine River.

After numerous buyouts of Berlin Chapman Company, the last owner, Senior Engineering, closed the company. Daryl then worked at Summit Performance Systems in Weyauwega, Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Multi-Conveyor in Winneconne, Auroura Welding in Auroraville and ended with Burns, Pinkerton and Securitas at the Berlin Foundry as a security guard. When the foundry closed, he retired. Through the years, he enjoyed jogging, weightlifting, bicycling (doing many century rides) and trap and target shooting. Daryl was a member of Wells-Krause VFW Post #2925, NRA, a former member of American Legion, and a lifetime member of Berlin Conservation Club.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Diane Abel; two sisters, Marlene (Terry) Seifert and Beverly Ross; numerous nieces and nephews; and his best friend, a black lab named Hunter. Daryl was preceded in death by his parents; paternal grandparents, Paul and Esther Krause Hanke; and maternal grandparents, James and Minnie Austin Smith.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Barbola-Hempel Funeral Chapel in Poy Sippi. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., with Rev. Randy Prahl officiating. Interment with military honors performed by Wells-Krause VFW Post #2925 will be in Poy Sippi Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Waushara County Sheriff's K-9 Unit. The family wishes to thank ThedaCare ER doctors, staff, hospice caregivers and the Chaplain for their compassionate care. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Daryl Hanke, c/o Barbola-Hempel Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Poy Sippi, WI 54967.