Verna Hankee

Verna Hankee, 100, of Westby, died Sunday, April 22, 2018. Verna Elvina Hankee, 100, passed away Sunday April 22, 2018 at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby. She was born March 22, 1918 to Eldred and Hellen (Blakely) Dobson in Viola, WI. She lived in Viola, Viroqua and Lacrosse, where she graduated from Central High School in 1936. Her Father was a racehorse owner/trainer so Verna was raised around horses. She attended cosmetology school in Chicago and had her own beauty shop in Cashton. She married Holden Hankee April 8, 1942 and they farmed on the Hankee farm in Portland. She taught knitting through vocational school for 42 years and she continued to teach friends in retirement and was working on knitting and crocheting projects right up to the age of 100. Verna and Holden showed their draft horses at many fairs and the circus parades and attended horse sales throughout the Midwest. She was very well known for her knowledge of horses and ability to judge horses. She was a charter member of the Western Saddle Club, Monroe County Draft Horse Club, Trinity Lutheran Church, Cashton, and Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Westby. Her excellent memory was amazing and accurate right up to her last days. She is survived by three sons: Vaughn (Cork) and his wife Carol, Jay(Ike) and his wife Karen, and Tom and his wife Kate. 8 grandchildren: Bill (special friend Michelle O'Sullivan) Hankee, Monte (Cherish) Hankee, Karla Hankee, Kristin (Jim) Meier, Kim Monroe(fianc Jason Guberug), Laura (Shane) Magnuson, Anne (Andy) Gass, Brenda (Brian) Geier, and 11 great-grandchildren: Thorvald Johnathan(TJ) Hankee, Vanessa Hankee, Kaelynn Hankee, Jayvid Meier, Kypton Meier, Kailen Bertrang, Kennedy Bertrang, Jacob Magnuson, Ben Magnuson, Jack Geier and Addalyn Geier. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Holden Hankee. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 5 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Westby with visitation from 9 to the time of the memorial service at 11:00 am. Private interment will be at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given to the charity of the donor's choice. Online Condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.