Henry Wanke

Henry "Hank" Wanke, 98, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away on Friday, June 16, 2023, while traveling in Georgia. Henry was born in Montevideo, Minnesota, May 3, 1925, to Margaret H. (Ketelsen) and Christian H. Wanke. He was married to Martha S. Wehner in 1948. They were married 66 years. He worked as vice president of Security Benefit Life In Topeka and at Midland National of Sioux Falls in South Dakota. Henry was a member of the German-American Club of Topeka, Saint Aloysius Catholic Church at Meriden, Kansas, Topeka Optimist Club and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. During WWII, he was in the army, taught German to fellow soldiers, did reconnaissance and fought at the Battle of The Bulge. Henry enjoyed spending time with family, travelling, playing bridge, reading both in German and English, Sudoku, crosswords, history, playing chess, gardening, bowling, fishing, Minnesota Twins baseball, college football, coffee with cream and Sunday afternoon naps.

Henry was preceded in death by his wife, Martha, sister Vernida VanMeveren, sister Jeane Goulson and a grandson, Thad Millard. He is survived by his children: Hilde Wagner, Williamsburg, VA; Chearie Donaldson (Dan); George Wanke (Tess Banion), Alexandria, VA; Erika Tipton, Topeka, KS and John Wanke (Sara), San Antonio, TX; his grandchildren: Todd Wagner, Kevin (Lauren) Wagner, Paige (Todd) Herman, Schaan (Jen) Donaldson, Heather (Lee) Scherer, Hilary Banion Wanke (Josh Campbell), Colin (Lindsey) Wanke, Lisa Tipton, Karen Tipton, Briana (Ryan) Moeller, Jenaye (Paul) Madigan, Daniel Wanke, Karalyn (Caleb) Killgore; and his great-grandchildren: Audrey Millard, Davis Millard, Gresham Wagner, Christian Wagner, Luke (Sammie) McCarvel, Bruklyn Donaldson, Jaq Donaldson, Kyra Scherer, Melina Scherer, Flynn Campbell, Agrippa Campbell, Darwin Campbell, Isla Wanke, Ophelia Wanke, Zachary Nitcher, Bryson Moeller, Adelyn Moeller, Thomas Madigan, Eliana Madigan; great-great-grandchild Aurora McCarvel; sister-in-law Barb Wehner, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Cremation is planned in Georgia with a memorial service in Topeka at a later date. Contributions may be sent to The German-American Club of Topeka, 5715 S.W. 21 St., Topeka, KS 66604 or Saint Aloysius Catholic Church, 615 E. Wyandotte St., Meriden, KS 66512.