Obituary: Joanne Hernke
- Admin
- Jul 2
- 3 min read

Joanne Hernke, age 78, of Hilbert, went to be with her Heavenly Father, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. She was born November 8, 1946 in Green Bay, daughter of the late Edwin & Mabel (Schmidt) Gruett.
On April 11, 1970, Joanne married Dennis Hernke at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rantoul and just celebrated 55 years of marriage. Together, they flourished and raised their family in the Hilbert area.
Joanne graduated from Chilton High School, after furthering her education and became a nurse. She was one of the most approachable human beings the world has ever known; she was able to strike up a conversation with anyone she came across. Never wanting to be secluded to her home, Joanne enjoyed frequent trips to Appleton for a shopping excursion. It was usually during these instances that Joanne found a new handbag in her care that she could proudly match with whatever outfit or event she may find herself in. Her enjoyment for travel found her throughout all of God’s creation, but she especially enjoyed Door County and time at the cottage in Land O Lakes with family.
Joanne’s faith was paramount in her life. She was a longtime member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hilbert where she also served countless hours with the Ladies Aide and LWML.
She will always be remembered as a lady, in the most traditional sense of the word. Joanne cherished time honored traditions, enjoyed going out for coffee and breakfast with her friends and loved every opportunity to host family and friends for social functions. Above all of the gifts in her life, Joanne treasured the blessing of her family first. With a loving and caring soul, Joanne proudly watched as her children grew into incredible individuals and she melted with love as her grandchildren became such an important part of her life.
Survivors include her husband: Dennis Frederick Hernke; her children: Bruce Armin (Tina) Hernke, Patrick Dennis Hernke, Minda Jo Hernke and her boyfriend, Aaron Lopez, Nicholas Edwin (Kimberly) Hernke, Adam Herman (Katie) Hernke; her grandchildren: Samantha, Mason, Lilyann, Leighton, Miles, & Louis; her brother: Lloyd (Jean) Gruett; and siblings-in-law: Carol (Tom) Stenklyft, Lois Christman, and Dale (Judy) Hernke. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents: Edwin & Mabel; brothers-in-law: Paul (Barbara) Hernke, Jack Christman; and a nephew Cory Gruett.
Joanne lived her life in service to everyone around her. It is in this heartbreaking circumstance that her family takes a bit of comfort knowing that Joanne continues to give to others through the gift of tissue donation.
Funeral service was at 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at St. Peter Lutheran Church (43 N. 3rd St.) in Hilbert with Rev. Mark Peterson officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. A time of visitation was held at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) in Chilton from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Monday, June 30, 2025 and on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at the church from 9:30 am until 10:45 am. At the time of the service and following, there will be a link available at wietingfuneralhome.com for those wishing to watch a livestream or archived recording of the service, view a memorial video, or see pictures of the flowers and gifts given to the family.
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