Richard Jerome Hankel

Richard "Jerry" Hankel, 79, of Fort Dodge passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at his home, surrounded by loved ones. Service will be Saturday, April 6, 2013 10:00am in the Chapel of Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home with Rev. James Laupp, Pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. A visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 on Friday at the funeral home. Jerry is survived by his children, Pam (Wyatt) Haldin of Fort Dodge; David (Anne) Hankel of Fort Dodge; Edward (Denise) Hankel of Blue Springs, MO; Jeri Marie Hankel of St. Cloud, MN; Gina (Jim) Doherty of Jenison, MI; twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Katherine (Tierney) Hankel; brothers, Jack and Patrick Hankel; and granddaughter, Abbie Hankel. Jerry Hankel was born September 24, 1933 in Syracuse, NY. In 1943, the family moved to Fort Dodge. He graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School. Jerry was employed by George A. Hormel Company in Fort Dodge and later Austin, MN until 1976. Jerry then worked for Heller Seasonings Inc. in Chicago as a National Sales Manager for 21 years, retiring in 1997. He then moved back to Fort Dodge and purchased Hwy 20 Liquor Store, which he owned and operated until he retired in 2004. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Doctors and Nurses at Trinity Hospital and to the Nurses and Volunteers of Trinity Hospice for their dedicated efforts to provide endless support, knowledge and encouragement throughout Jerry's last days of life. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Trinity Hospice.