Virginia Hilma Theresa Virginia (Hagen) Hantke, Edgerton/Stoughton, WI  (1918 - 2010)

July 26, 1918 - July 23, 2010
Virginia Hantke was born to Norwegian and Swedish parents on July 26, 1918, on a farm in Rock County, WI, and passed away peacefully at Skaalen Home in Stoughton, WI, on July 23, 2010. Virginia’s childhood years were spent in the village of Cooksville, WI, where she developed strong lifelong values--hard work, thrift, perseverance, independence and honesty. She often told stories of working long, hard hours in her family’s tobacco fields, earning money as a youngster sweeping the schoolhouse (now the Cooksville Community Center) every afternoon and cleaning neighbors’ homes but also hunting for spring asparagus and summer berries along Badfish Creek. With the money she earned, she would skip to the Cooksville General Store for some penny candy or a soda. After graduation from Evansville High School in 1936, she spread her independent wings for a short time working in Rockford, IL. She returned home to marry Paul S. Hantke on Nov. 20, 1943, and together they farmed and raised their three children in Porter Township. The farm life rewarded the family in many ways and she always encouraged her children to do their very best. She blessed family and friends with many gifts – from her famous molasses cookies and cherry pie to traditional Norwegian lefse and lutefisk at Christmas. The coffeepot and the cookie jar, like her heart, were always full. She cherished her trip to Norway and Sweden to visit the original homes of her parents and grandparents. After Paul’s death on Sept. 19, 1998, Virginia moved to Edgerton, where she continued a productive and contented life until a brief illness earlier this year forced her to give up the independence she cherished. She loved us and we loved her – it was that simple – and we will miss her very much for being such a strong influence in our lives.
Virginia is survived by her daughters, Carol (Randy) Christensen of Troy, MI and Alice (Stan) Edwardson of Edgerton; and son, Bill (Leslie Ladd) Hantke of Madison; grandchildren: Tracy (Don) Deegan of Edgerton, WI (children: Evan, Brennan, Samuel) and Laurie (Jeff) Wood of Madison, WI (children: Carson, Nolan) and Mark (Annette) Christensen of Clawson, MI (children: Conner, Joscelyn). In addition, she is survived by her sister-in-law, Evalyn Hagen; and a special childhood friend, Anna Hanson. She was preceded in death by husband, Paul; brother, Karl Hagen; half-sister, Valborg Karlsson of Sweden; and parents, Edward and Selma Hagen.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010, at the COOKSVILLE LUTHERAN CHURCH, a visitation will be held on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010, at the CHURCH from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery. A luncheon will be served by the Cooksville Lutheran Church Ladies.
Virginia’s family thanks the loving and skilled staff of the Skaalen Home and Hospice Care for their attentive and sensitive care of our mother. They have meant the world to all of us.
EHLERT FUNERAL HOME, EDGERTON, is assisting the family. (608) 884-9466.