W. Chris Hanken, 77, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, October 10, 2022, at Maquoketa Care Center in Maquoketa, Iowa.

A gathering of family and friends celebrating Chris’ life will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Friday, October 14, 2022, in “The Bistro” at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa.  Cremation rites have been accorded.

Wesley Christopher Hanken was born on January 19, 1945 the oldest of five children to Wesley G. and Nedra (Kromminga) Hanken.  He grew up in and around Monticello and graduated from Springville High School in 1963.  He then attended the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, graduating in 1968.  He married Judy Meineke in 1967 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.  To this union two children were born, Craig and Josh.

Chris aka “Coach”, “Hammerin Hank”, “Hank” began teaching Industrial Arts at Maquoketa High School and was the Assistant Wrestling Coach and eventually became the Head Wrestling Coach.  In 1986, he transitioned to school administration and became the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director where he remained until 1991 when he took a job as Principal at Lisbon High School until retirement.

“Hank” was known as an outstanding wrestling referee and had refereed during some Olympic Trials.  He enjoyed playing cards, golfing and had also managed the Maquoketa Country Club.  He loved Waylon, Willie, Old Mil, Black Velvet, a good joke, a tall tale, and cars.  Some of his greatest achievements were:  being the first child in his family to attend college; intramural wrestling champion; one hole-in-one on Hole #9; and beating Jeff Tampir in the Maquoketa Relays open mile race.

Those left to honor his memory include his life partner of 28 years, Lin Shultz of Maquoketa, IA; children, Craig Hanken Des Moines, IA, Josh (Donna) Hanken of Maquoketa, IA; Lin’s children whom considered Chris like a father, Amy (John) Silvia of Portland, OR, A.J. (Kerri) Shultz of Maquoketa, IA, and Anna (Luke) Scarpino of Milwaukie, OR; his mother, Nedra Hanken of Monticello, IA; siblings, Cynthia (John) Coy of Winter Green, Va, Jeffrey (Sharon) Hanken of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Beth Hanken of Monticello, IA; 2 grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Taylor; and Lin’s grandchildren, Ruby, Scout, Marsella, Lucy, Josey, and Marny.  He was preceded in death by his father Wes and a brother Jay.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a W. Chris Hanken memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.