In loving memory of

Theresa Clara Hankemeier
July 2, 1926 - December 4, 2017

Theresa C. Hankemeier, 91, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Monday, December 4, 2017, at her home in Maquoketa.

A celebration of Theresa's life will be held at 2:30 P.M., Saturday, December 9, 2017, at First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1 P.M. to 2:15 P.M. at the church. Burial will be at the Andrew, Iowa Cemetery.

Theresa Clara Elsner was born on July 2, 1926 in Jackson County, Iowa, to August and Barbara (Jacklovitch) Elsner. She grew up in the Sugar Creek area and attended country school in Sugar Creek. She marred Albert Frederick Hankemeier on November 10, 1952 in Clinton, Iowa. To this union seven children were born: Allen, Jean, twins Dennis and Diane, Roger, Judy and Richard.

Theresa had first worked at DuPont in Clinton, Iowa, prior to her marriage. She then became a homemaker and farmed with her husband near Andrew for many years. Upon retirement in 1989 they moved to Maquoketa.

Theresa was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa. She enjoyed spending time with her family and grandkids. She always looked forward to visits and phone calls from family and friends. She had a heart of gold and always wanted to help support the hungry children and others in need. She loved to sit in her chair and snuggle with her cats "Squeek" and "Smokey".

Those left to honor her memory include her children, Jean (Jimmy) Mayfield of Toronto, IA, Dennis Hankemeier of Andrew, IA, Diane Haylock of Maquoketa, IA, Roger Hankemeier of Iowa City, IA, Judy Hankemeier of AZ, and Richard Hankemeier of MT; 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Katherine Elsner of Maquoketa, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Albert on February 1, 2001, a son Allen, a grandchild Jessica Joy, a great-grandchild Collin, two brothers Vernon and Raymond, and two sisters Laura and Rosemary.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Theresa C. Hankemeier memorial fund has been established.

Online Condolences may be left at www.carsonandson.com.

Tributes

Nancy Baker wrote on Dec 19, 2017:

"Our sincere condolences on the loss of your mom. My mom, Dorothy, was sad that she did not get to Theresa's funeral. Our thoughts and prayers for the family. Dorothy Hankemeier,Nancy Baker, Lynn Hankemeier, Lori Wenger and Dale Hankemeier"

Sue Van Buer wrote on Dec 13, 2017:

"Diane & family, So very sorry for your loss! I feel blessed to have gotten to know your mom...such a very sweet lady. "

Pat Broderick wrote on Dec 8, 2017:

"Judy and Rich, Our sympathy to both of you and the rest of your family. We know she was a very special lady to you as both of of you were to her. We're sorry. Sue and Pat Broderick "

Aaron Schmidt wrote on Dec 8, 2017:

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the Hankemeier family. May God give you all peace and comfort as you mourn the loss of mother Theresa. She was a very special and unique lady. I have fond memories of her and will miss her. Aaron Schmidt"

Ken and Chris Weuste wrote on Dec 7, 2017:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Theresa. May the Lord give you His comfort and peace."

Cathleen Holtz wrote on Dec 7, 2017:

"Diane and family, I am very sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Cathleen"

Richard Knabel wrote on Dec 6, 2017:

"I met and came to love Theresa delivering "Meals on Wheels" to her. She drew me in like a magnet. We talked about her two cats (they didn't like each other) and her love of Polka music. After she moved in with her daughter Diane, I became "Richard the Soup Man" so as not to be confused with her son Richard. We hugged and said our "I love you's" on my last visit. Pretty good timing I'd have to say. Theresa would sometimes say "the world is coming to an end". Well, she was kind of right there. THIS world ended for Theresa, but the the next world- Heaven- is just beginning. God bless you Theresa, Your friend Richard"

Mavis J. Kaczinski wrote on Dec 5, 2017:

"My deepest sympathy to Theresa's family. She was a very nice lady, and friend. RIP Theresa."