Sue Jeanette Hanke

Born on May 3, 1930

Left this Earth on January 29, 2024

Sue was born in Eugene, Oregon to her parents, Chester and Ruby Philips. (with one "l") It was clear Sue was destined to live a life beyond the ordinary. Starting with winning the "Prettiest Baby" contest in Eugene, Oregon at a tender age of one. She still has the certificate to prove it! Right away Sue wanted lots of attention on the family stage. But by the time she was 5, she had to share the limelight with her new sister, Mary.

Eventually years passed and her family moved to Spokane, Washington where she attended high school. Sue and her friends would go to the lake on weekends and there she met the love of her life, Tom Hanke. She got engaged on December 24, 1949. Less than two years later, she married Tom on January 13, 1951.

They started their new life together in Spokane, Washington where they raised a quartet of daughters: Sharon, Janis, Donna, and Nancy. Then one day in 1962, they packed everything up and moved to Medford, Oregon where Tom got a job as a printer.

There Sue's community spirit became as infectious as her smile. Volunteering at: the hospital, Job's Daughters, Eastern Star, Home Extension, PEO, and dedicating almost two decades to the Discovery Shop run by the Cancer Society. A proud member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for 62 years, Sue was the epitome of sisterhood!

Through out her life, Sue had a wide range of jobs. She started working as a paper girl at the age of 12. One of her favorite jobs was being a soda jerk at an ice cream parlor. Her last two paying jobs were as a salesperson for both Bryden's Store and Lawrence's Jewelers Store, before retiring to travel with her husband.

During her life, she traveled to 31 countries with her sister, Mary and brother-in-law Larry Church. She also visited 49 of the 50 U.S. States. Only Mississippi being the elusive final piece of her U.S. travel puzzle! Sue was known to talk about wanting to go to Mississippi with anyone who would listen. Traveling in their 5th wheel with the Holiday Ramblers or going with family ANY WHERE, Sue was always up for the next big adventure of meeting people and nature.

When at home, Sue enjoyed entertaining others especially at her house on White Oak. She saved, designed, and had someone build it for her in Central Point, Oregon. Sue's dream house for her entertaining pleasures! Besides big family gatherings, every Fall Sue and Tom's high school friends and family met at their house to make sausage and catch up on life's events. They had up to 50 people at a time and hosted the event for almost 30 years!

Close family preceding her were: her beloved husband Tom, two grandsons, and one great granddaughter.

Sue was the grand matriarch of an army of happy, giggling people. She left in good hands her surviving family: sister, Mary Church and family, four daughters: Sharon McMeen (Jim), Janis Weber Guthmiller (Bob), Donna Matlock (Mark), and Nancy Johnston (Gary), 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, lots of nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

Sue passed away on January 29, 2024. She was in good hands at Providence Hospital, before her passing.

She felt very lucky to have had such a long and wonderful life with family and friends. On the stage of life, you would have never known that she was 93 years old, as she was like an actress - never acting her age!

Besides loving every person that she met, she was known for her love of animals. Strays knew Sue's doors were always open, especially Cats! If you would like to donate under Sue Hanke's name, please do so to either C.A.T.S. or Jackson County Humane Society, as they were her favorites.

Definitely, Sue was loved and will be missed by all! Bon Voyage, Sue, and may your next adventure be as splendid as the one you shared with us.