Kevin Larry Tanke, 03 Oct 1954 - 08 Sept 2016

TANKE, LARAWAY, FRAZIER, HAWK, TRIMPE

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 10/11/2016 at 20:42:37

Celebration of life visitation for Kevin L. Tanke, 61, was held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg. He passed away peacefully at his home Thursday, Sept. 8, surrounded by his loving family after his nearly eight month battle with cancer.

A general memorial has been established.

Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Kevin Larry Tanke was born Oct. 3, 1954, the son of Leroy and Helen (Laraway) Tanke, at Watts Hospital, Williamsburg. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Millersburg. He grew up in Millersburg and attended Millersburg schools, graduating from Deep River-Millersburg High School. During high school, he worked alongside his dad at Tanke’s Texaco Service Station and Garage in Millersburg.

He married his high school sweetheart, Catherine Teresa Frazier, March 3, 1978, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Kinross. They were blessed with two daughters, Kevra and Ashlee. Together Kevin and Cathy created Cathy’s Kiddie Cottage Daycare and Preschool. He enjoyed cooking meals for the children. Through the years he became known as “Papa” to many children throughout the community.

He enjoyed spending time with his family boating on the Coralville Reservoir, four-wheeling in the timber and playing family games. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, going for long walks or bike rides and hearing the frequent “Hi, Papa!” Kevin enjoyed washing and polishing his cars, laughing, joking and playing cards with his friends. He always looked forward to a fall leaf trip along the Mississippi River. He lived life to the fullest.

Tanke is survived by his wife, Cathy; his mother, Helen Tanke; his two daughters Kevra (Joe) Hawk and Ashlee (Phillip) Trimpe, all Williamsburg; five grandchildren, Andrew, Brody, McKenna, Maceyn and Melaina; a brother, Leroy Tanke, Beaverton, Ore.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leroy Tanke; grandparents, Henry and Mary Tanke, and Alex and Eva Laraway; his father- and mother-in-law, Larry and Shirley Frazier, North English.

The Journal Tribune, 14 Sept 2016, pg 8
Notice only in The Gazette, 09 Sept 2016, 8a