Martha H. Hankel, 89, of Coldwater, MI, formerly of Oakes, ND, passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2012, at her home.
A memorial service will take place at a later date in Oakes, ND. Arrangements are being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Martha was born March 3, 1922, in Marion, ND, to August & Nettie (Lauf) Glaser. After graduating from Oakes High School, she attended Interstate Business College in Fargo, ND, and then worked for Ottertail Power Company in Oakes before marrying Raymond L. Hankel on March 24, 1943, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes, ND. The couple made their home and farmed near Ludden, ND, until retiring in 1982. They raised purebred Angus cattle and Spotted Poland China and Yorkshire hogs during their farming and ranching days. Their farm became known as the “Rae-Mar Stock Farm.” Ray and Martha had the honor of winning the Dickey County soil conservation award in 1962.
Martha lived in North Dakota for most of her life, living in the Coldwater area for the past few years. She attended St. Paul Lutheran Church in Coldwater and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes, ND. While at St. John’s she served as zone president of the LWML and was a delegate to the national convention in Pittsburgh, PA. She was also the recording secretary of the congregation, president of the local LWML, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Martha enjoyed helping to prepare food in the kitchen and waiting tables at St. John’s with her fellow Christians. She also enjoyed singing in the choir, homemakers club, as well as reading and sewing. Martha and Ray enjoyed their later years as one of the three couples known as the “M and R’s” in Oakes where they participated in many activities and travels together.
Her husband, Raymond, preceded her in death on April 2, 2009. Martha is survived by her daughters Marene (Craig) Wood, Raetta (William) Mirgain all of Coldwater, her granddaughter Dr. Shilagh A. Mirgain of Madison, WI, her sister Edna Salman of West Sacramento, CA; her sisters-in-law Doris Hankel and Marie Hankel both of Oakes, ND, Gladys Felix of Aberdeen, SD, her brother-in-law Elmer Zimbleman of Oakes, ND, and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband Raymond, she was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers William, Julius, Lawrence and August Glaser, her sisters Irene Zimbleman, Louise Brown and Ella Dahlke.
Memorial contributions may be directed to one of the following: St. Paul Lutheran Church, Coldwater, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Oakes, or the charity of one’s choice.