Douglas E. Hankwitz

Born May 12, 1939, to parents Earl and Anita (Weber) Hankwitz, Douglas Earl Hankwitz lived a "long and wonderful" life of 86 years. He left this world peacefully on December 18, 2025, for his eternal home with the Lord. Doug graduated from Goodrich High School in 1959. He served with the US Navy until 1962. In his early years Doug was employed at Henkel Motors and in the test lab at Kiekhaefer Corporation in Fond du Lac and Lake-X Florida. On November 23, 1963, Doug married Carol Sonnenberg. During their marriage they raised two daughters in faith, love and respect and did everything to give their girls a great life. Doug built two homes for his family in his free time. Although they parted ways, their friendship continued and they stayed family through their daughters and grandchildren. In 1965, Doug achieved his dream of becoming a licensed private pilot. He logged hours of flight time and maintained his license for many years. He was an active member of EAA as well as a past member of the local Fond du Lac chapter. He also belonged to Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Out of his love of aircraft, Doug built two experimental airplanes: an extremely proud accomplishment of his! Doug spent the last 30 years of his working life a professor teaching at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where he eventually retired. While at KCC he developed their MMASER (motorcycle, marine and small engine repair) program. In addition, he taught diesel mechanics, hydraulics, electricity and many other subjects. Teaching was natural for Doug and he absolutely loved it! In 1999, Doug met his longtime companion, Kathy Dewalt. They were great for each other, enjoying many rides through Lakeside Park, car racing and his beloved Milwaukee Brewers. They spent time camping, fishing, boating and dining out in Boulder Junction-Doug's home away from home. He loved the up-north life! All his life Doug had a passion for anything with an engine...preferably a fast engine! Car, boat, motorcycle, snowmobile, tractor or airplane, he could build it and fix it! He always joked that his girls knew how to fetch a 9/16" socket before they could count, knew the exact spot to hold the flashlight on an engine and were not allowed to get their drivers license until they could master an oil change and fix a flat tire! Doug is survived by his daughter Traci (Bob Koenig), grandchildren Tonisha Atkins and Tannen Atkins, sister Pam (Ron) Challis, companion Kathy Dewalt and other special people in his life: Carol Hankwitz, Warren & Pat Schneider, Jenny (Andy) and Max Rogers and Krista & Kevin Penno. Preceding him in death; were his daughter Darci Atkins, brother Randolph Hankwitz and many family and friends. Reminiscent of his childhood on his grandmother's farm, Doug enjoyed monitoring planting and crop progress on Traci and Bob's farm...he held a deep respect for agriculture and for land. He engineered home remodeling projects for Darci and they worked countless hours on them. Some things he strongly supported were the aeromodellers of Fond du Lac, St. Jude's Children's Hospital and Van Dyne Sportsmen’s Club where he was a current member. A long, blessed life allowed us many years of quality family time to enjoy attending Green Bay Packer games, high school football, dirt track racing, constructing 4H projects, aeromodeller events, EAA & IAC, Blue Angels airshows, baking lebkuchen, boat races (any and everywhere!) water skiing, Christmas light excursions, music, dinners out and many times just quietly sitting and talking. Dad, thank you. You will be greatly missed here.....but we will see you again. Private family services will be held. Cremation has taken place. Kurki Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving the family, on-line guestbook can be found at www.kurkifuneralchapel.com. 920-921-4420

Douglas E. Hankwitz

May 12, 1939 - December 18, 2025