It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of George Wayne Hanke of Cassils, AB on March 1, 2020.

George was born in Lucky Lake, SK in 1945. His family relocated to Rolling Hills, AB in 1951 and purchased the family farm. George worked on the farm until he moved to Calgary, AB where he was employed with Custom Auto Body and received his Automotive Repair Red Seal, George enjoyed playing guitar with his brothers on the farm and played in a band when he lived in Calgary.

George and Betty married in 1972, then moved to Brooks, AB opened B&G Auto Body and then B&G Trucking, raised their 3 daughters and son, and finally settled in Cassils, AB in 1988. Betty passed away in 2010.

George married Donna in 2013 and they enjoyed camping, fishing and the ever-famous time-consuming, cutting grass. George retired from his trucking career in 2018 after 40 years and logging 4 million accident free miles. He then got into competing in tractor pulls with his brother-in-law Wayne which he thoroughly enjoyed. He rebuilt a 1939 John Deer tractor that was the same make and year like the one he had on the farm in Rolling Hills. George was proud of his tractor and we are happy he was able to complete his project before he passed, what a wonderful day it was when he jumped on and got it started!

George is predeceased by his wife Betty, daughter Debbie Walpole, mother Kay Hanke, brothers Ron, Edward, Darrel and sister Carol (Ron) Blair.

George is survived by his wife Donna; daughters, Kathy (Tim) Willms and Bonnie (Bruce) Armstrong and son Jeremy Hanke; Donna's sons, Kelly (Tasha) Hanke and Kim Hanke as well as son-in-law Craig Walpole. His grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Brother Art (Edna) Hanke and sister-in-law Darlene Hanke as well many other brothers/sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews. Everyone had such kind word to say of George and the most common one was "he was my favorite".

A Celebration of Life in honour of George will be held on Wednesday, March 11th at 2:00 pm at Cassils Hall. Interment to follow at Rolling Hills Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to either Medicine Hat and District Health Foundation for the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre, 666 5 Street SW, Medicine Hat, AB   T1A 4H6 or to Stars Air Ambulance, Suite 100 1519 – 35 ^th Avenue East, Edmonton, Ab.   T9E 0V6.

Our family would like to give our sincere appreciation to Brooks Home Care, Pam, and Lindsey for the care they gave to George at home.

Cremation is entrusted to and conducted by

Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks