Glenn E. Hanke

A Memorial Visitation will be held Thursday, October 29th from 1-2PM at Heritage Funeral Homes, 4800 S. 84th St.  A Memorial Service will follow at 2PM.

The original Gearhead, Glenn Edwin Donald Hanke, was ushered peacefully into Heaven by angels at 11:11 a.m. on Saturday, October 17.

Glenn was born on June 30, 1936, in Chicago, the son of Edwin William Fred and Mary Jane (Ray) Hanke.

He moved to the Milwaukee area in his youth after his father accepted an electrical engineering position at the historic Allen-Bradley automation equipment company.

A proud graduate of Whitefish Bay High School in 1954, Glenn enrolled in the Navy’s ROTC and attended Purdue University, majoring in his father’s craft and becoming a valuable member of the rowing team.

He also worked summers at Allen-Bradley even after the death of his father at the beginning of his sophomore year.

After earning his degree from Purdue, Glenn was stationed cross-country on the Navy ship the USS General J.C. Breckenridge at Fort Mason in San Francisco.

Glenn FOUND his heart in San Francisco, immediately upon setting eyes on Adelina “Lynn” Fantacone, who was working on the Navy base.

After a brief courtship, they married on March 25, 1959, and soon relocated, however briefly, to Lynn’s native Philadelphia, where Glenn resumed his passion and natural affinity for rowing on the Schuylkill River at the esteemed Vesper Boat Club.

The newlyweds then moved to Milwaukee, where Glenn continued following in his father’s footsteps, resuming what was to be a near 40-year career as an electrical engineer at Allen-Bradley.

After settling back into work and home in Milwaukee, Glenn quickly added Father to his resume with the birth of daughter Karen in October 1960, followed by a second daughter, Robin, in November 1963, and finally “hitting the jackpot” with a son, Edwin Fredrick Stephen, in October 1965.

The family shared many beautiful memories and milestones throughout the years, with Glenn also celebrating many professional achievements, including the creation of his own successful tool-and-die manufacturing company in the mid 1970s.

He retired from both professional endeavors in the mid 1990s, soon after designing and building his dream home on Marco Island, Fla, where he and Lynn spent the next 25 winters.

In addition to his passion for designing and building, Glenn was a lifelong classic and sports car enthusiast, never meeting a car he couldn’t get running and/or restore. Among his personal favorites and pet projects were numerous Porsches, Corvettes, BMWs, Alfa-Romeos, Lancias and Ferraris.

He also designed and built nearly a dozen cars for Soap Box and Pine Car derbies for his children during their formative years with the majority of them taking the top prize.

Glenn also loved the north woods, particularly his family’s cabin on Connors Lake, sailing, still water, a good storm, reading, Bridge, music (especially show tunes … and he played the violin), Mickey Spillane, Zane Gray, “Bond, James Bond,” “The Shadow,” “Don Quixote,” “A Christmas Story,” M&M’s, potato chips, Fairy Food, the words “mellifluous” and “dollop,” antique clocks, Garage Night, his brother, Robert, his wife’s Philadelphia smile and her Italian family.

In later years he became a superfan of Turner Classic Movies, and dedicated his time to caring for his wife of nearly 64 years, who has been holding space for him in Heaven since January 1, 2023.

Glenn was also preceded in passing by his parents; his brother; many other relatives and friends, including a dear neighbor of nearly 50 years, Joan Grontkowski; two beloved dogs, Mimi and Mandy; and many beloved granddogs.

He is survived by his daughters, Karen (Jim) Stodola and Robin (Rich) Brownlie, and son, Edwin Hanke; two granddaughters, Sara Lynn (Ryan) Groy and Emma Mae (Brian) Endres; two great granddaughters, Marlee Lynn and Lyla Jo; numerous nieces and nephews; four granddogs; and several near-lifelong friends, including his “brother from another mother,” Dan Grontkowski (Joan’s husband).

Glenn was a Master Mason of Nathan Hale Lodge, No. 350, in Milwaukee, serving for more than 60 years.

Special thanks to the staff of Aurora Zilber Family Hospice for their love and care during Glenn’s final earthly days.

In lieu of “tangible” memorials, please support the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) and/or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).

Good night, Glenn. We’re sorry to see you go.

ABC.