Diana Hanke

Diana Fay Hanke died on Sunday, June 17th, 2018 at Mayo Clinic Hospital - Methodist Campus in Rochester, at the age of 74 years. Diana will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 54 years, Barry and their children Jennifer Guenther and Joshua (Katharine) Hanke. Diana will be remembered by her five grandchildren Anna, James, Isaac, Carrie, and Finnian along with countless family and friends. Diana was preceded in death by her parents Wanda Eldine (Nielsen) and Clifford Lowell Dodson and her brother David. Diana was born on September 25th, 1943 in Grand Island, Neb., graduated from Oskaloosa High School in Oskaloosa, Iowa and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Drake University in January of 1966. Diana attended Iowa State University in 1961 where she happened upon a young physics major, Barry William Hanke on his way to a school dance and forever changed his life. Barry and Diana were married on June 14, 1964 at the Congregational Church in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Diana was an artist of many mediums including, but not limited to watercolor, ceramics, print making, jewelry and fused glass. For over three decades, she shared her love of art with her students as well as imparting life lessons with a smile. She taught in Des Moines, Iowa, Harvey Ill, Topeka, Ks. and at Kellogg Middle School, Willow Creek Middle School and Century High School in Rochester, Minn. Diana also created for and taught art to her family, friends, and church community. She was creating art and planning Liturgical Art for her church up until her final days. Diana was active and drove programs in Church and daycare communities throughout her life by teaching and designing curriculum. She also used art to tell the story of the lectionary during worship service. Furthermore, Diana used art every day to tell a story, create a feeling, or simply enrich a space for personal enjoyment. Diana coordinated the distribution of the Turkish Scarf Project Ministries across the United States to make donations totaling more than $340,000 to rebuild a school and playground in the town of Kaynashli, Turkey after it was devastated by an earthquake in 1999. The women of the village made beautiful scarves and Diana sent them out to congregations around the United States and sent 100% of the cost of the scarves to help the women rebuild their lives and village. Over 12,000 beautifully edged scarves came from Turkey to the family home and sent across the country. Diana and Barry loved to travel with family to learn about different and unique places and cultures. They greatly enjoyed the outdoors and camping, traveling to Turkey, Norway, and Denmark. Diana and Barry loved to take their grandchildren on their adventures and made a special trip with each of their grandchildren to Chicago. One of their favorite and most frequent travel traditions was to visit was Ghost Ranch in New Mexico where there were many classes on a variety of experiences and skills where Diana and Barry were able to learn new crafts and try new techniques and ideas by refining long held talents. A Memorial Service to honor and celebrate the life of Diana will be held on Saturday, July 14th, 2018. Visitation will be held at 10:00 am CST, Service at 11:00 am CST, Internment of Ashes at 12:00 pm with lunch to follow. Services will be held at The Congregational Church (UCC), 974 Skyline Dr., Rochester, MN 55902, with Rev. Garth Schumacher. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Diana to The Congregational Church. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901 507-289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com