Red was born on March 27, 1952 in Le Mars, to Donald & Marilyn (Knapp) Hanke. He graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 1970. Red worked various jobs until 1986 when Red and Larry Olsen opened ‘Behind The 8 Ball’ in Le Mars. When Red took sole ownership in 1990, it became ‘The Red Hanke Saloon’. A few years later, he acquired the Laundromat next door. Red sold both and officially retired in May of 2016, after 30 years.

In earlier years, Red rode with a motorcycle club. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Cubs fan. Go Cubs Go!! Red enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing at Rainy Lake, and especially spending time with his grandchildren. He was part of the ‘Three Mikeskateers’ which included Mike ‘Fleet’ Riepma, Mike ‘Moke’ Mockler and himself, Mike ‘Red’ Hanke.

Grateful to have shared his life are the love of his life; Bethene Miller of Le Mars and her children whom he loved as his own; son, Kyle (Cassie) Miller and their children; Keyanna & Treyton; and daughter, Andrea (Brandon Anderson) Miller and their child Braylon all of Le Mars, an honorary granddaughter, Addison Baack (daughter of Leah Price and Jesse Baack). Bethene’s sisters; Brenda (Tom) McVicker, Beverly (Jeff) Bandstra, Betty (Kurt) Black, and Belinda (Brad) Eppling, Bethene’s brothers; Brian Plendl, and Bradley (Nancy) Plendl, Bethene’s mother, Cynthia Plendl, and his Sister; Diane Williams of Tucson, AZ and her three children and nine grandchildren.

Red was preceded in death by his parents.

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