Keith Hannenberg

Keith Frederick Hannenberg, 68, of Shelby Township, Michigan, passed away September 27, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He went to be with the Lord after a hard-fought tenacious and courageous battle with cancer and liver disease. Born March 14, 1956 in Detroit, Michigan, Keith was the beloved son of Gerald and Phyllis Hannenberg, who raised him in Harper Woods, Michigan. Keith had a wonderful childhood and upbringing, shared with his treasured older sister Karen. He deeply cherished his parent's love, teachings and wisdom, which he very much leveraged in his own family. Keith was a strong and infectious man who brought the deepest love, support, and guidance to all of his family and friends. His greatest accomplishment in life was his seven children. Even in his last few years of horrific health issues, Keith never faltered in always being present with love and support for his children.
Keith graduated from Grosse Pointe North High School in 1974. During high school, he met Christina "Tina" Olesz. The couple married in 1981, sharing 30 years of marriage and seven children, before deciding to separate. They both continued to live together and remain forever friends. Keith had a long and prosperous 40-year career at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, working in the Mainframe department during the infancy of computers and excelling in many roles during his tenure. He loved working at BCBSM where many of his coworkers became lifelong friends. Keith was always up for a good time, an ice cold Miller-Lite beer and an obnoxious laugh with his most favorite BCBSM comrades. His friendships continued long into retirement through weekly ROMEO breakfast group and Wertz Warrior Events.
Keith was a devoted father and the most proud Papa to his five (soon to be six) grandchildren. He cared deeply for his family and friends and instilled the importance of family to each of his children. Keith had a strong catholic faith and was an avid parishioner at St. Paul of Tarsus before moving to St. Therese of Lisieux. Going to church every Sunday was incredibly important to him. In his recent years, he loved going with his grandkids and spoiling them with suckers at the end of mass. Keith was filled with pride and most happy being a Papa, playing with his grandkids and wearing his favorite "Papa shirts and socks." Keith also loved Detroit sports. He was an enthused Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, and Michigan State fan, going to many games through the years and passing the love of sports down to his children. Hannenberg watch parties around any Detroit sport were always his favorite, especially for the precious time spent together.
Keith is survived by his lifelong friend, Christina Hannenberg; forever loved children, Lindsay (Carl) Holt, Adam (Rachel) Hannenberg, Stephanie (Jacob) Czarnecki, Katie (Josh) Smith, Krista (Zach) Buchanan, and Eric Hannenberg; precious and beyond adored grandchildren, London, Lincoln, Liberty, Jack, Wyatt and Baby Hannenberg #2; treasured sister, Karen (Alan) Grojean; loved nieces, Alison Grojean and Sarah (Zach) Ziemba; as well as so many extended family members and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Phyllis Hannenberg and his beloved son, Evan Hannenberg. Evan was awaiting Keith at the gates of Heaven with a big warm hug and "I missed you Pops."
Keith was a beautiful human being. He admitted his imperfections and faults but loved oh so deeply. His greatest pride and joy was his children and grandchildren. We will forever grieve the loss of our strong Dad and long for his presence in the years to come. Keith fought until the very end for more time with his family. We are so incredibly proud of our Dad and will carry him and his love with each of us, always. Keith will be deeply missed by his family, friends and everyone who knew him.
Visitation is Thursday, October 3rd, 1-8 p.m. at Sullivan and Sons Utica. Rosary will be held from 6-6:20 p.m.followed by an open forum of memories from 6:20-8 p.m.The funeral service will be held on Friday, October 4th at 10 a.m. at St. Paul of Tarsus, 41300 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wertz Warrior Special Olympics, a charity close to Keith and the Hannenberg family's hearts. Donation checks can be sent to Wertz Warriors, P.O. Box 1132, Mount Clemens, MI 48046. Please write "in memory of Keith Hannenberg" on the donation.