Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on Monday, February 10, 2025.
Valerie was born into a large family if 7 girls and 1 boy being the 5th of the 8 children. Her father Carl Hanneke was owner and president of Hanneke Hardware on the Hill and her mother Norma Hanneke was the family caretaker.
Valerie went to grade school at St Stephen Protomartyr in South St Louis. She then attended St Elizabeth HS in St Louis
Upon graduation she worked for a few years before going to Quincy University to earn a Teaching degree . Valerie decided to go to Europe to teach at a military base. She had a sense of adventure – she took a boat to go to/ftom Europe and traveled about the continent during her 2+ years there.
After a few years Valerie came back home to St Louis and taught in a local public school district and then at a couple of Catholic schools. During this time she also earned a Masters Degree in Education. She had a special relationship with her students and they would often come back to visit Miss Hanneke.
Valerie retired from teaching in 2001.
She spent her retired years with her family and helping care for her mother. Aunt Val as we all knew her was a genial character and enlivened family gatherings, which were many. She loved hanging and visiting places with her sisters when they would come to town and having special lunches with her brother and sister-in-law. She also entertained her nieces and nephews and their children with stories of her past.
Valerie waa preceded in death by her parents Carl and Norma Hanneke, sisters Celeste Hanneke, Carol Kopff (John) and Norma Stender (Eugene). She is survived by siblings Carl Hanneke (Marge), Rita Ricklefs (Robert), Barbara Fox (Steve) and Alice Loring (Earl). She is also survived by 17 nieces and nephews and many more great nieces and great nephews .
Graveside Saturday, February 15, 11:00 a.m. at Resurrection Cemetery (6901 Mackenzie Rd. 63123).
Val shopped at the Schnucks store where I worked . We always had brief but pleasant chats. She was a kind person .
My favorite 4th grade teacher at St. John the Baptist. She was the best and I have thought about her many times through the years.
Valerie was more than my sister. she was my friend. I miss you.
Thanks for the memories.
Love you,
Rita
It will be difficult going to St. Louis and Val not being there. She will always live on in our hearts and has earned her eternal rest. Love you, Val!!
Aunt Val was much more than an aunt to our sons, Eric & Evan. She was an auxiliary grandma and cared for (and spoiled) them in like manner.
When Evan was 7, Val took him to the school picnic where she taught. Since all her students called her Miss Hanneke, the moniker stuck. She’s been “Miss Hanneke ” to all of us for the last 43 years. Her memory will live on in all the stories each of us will cherish.
We will miss you, Miss Hannke!
My favorite 3rd grade teacher at Holy Trinity. She was always so nice and kind. My condolences to her family.
Miss Hanneke taught me in the third grade at Holy Trinity in the 1983-1984 school year. We said the Pledge of Allegiance every morning in her class. On our school assignments, she had us write the day of the week in both English and German. Today is Donnerstag. She was kind and engaging, and I’ve always thought very fondly of her. May she rest in peace.
Aunt Val was one of the sweetest people I have ever known. She always showed compassion and love and a great sense of humor.
Greg
One of my all-time favorite teachers. Kind, thoughtful and a giving soul. She was my teacher at Buder Elementary School. That was more than fifty years ago. You never forget the good ones. She was a good one. Blessings for her friends and family during this difficult time.
Valerie was a steadfast member of the Most Holy Trinity faculty and a friend to those who worked with her. She put her students first and many later praised her for her efforts. She loved a “snow day”. As much as she loved teaching. Her independence and individuality were always on display. Condolences to her family. I know how much she loved you, especially Ethan and Evan.