Lois J. (Hanke) Pales

Lois J. (Hanke) Pales entered peacefully into eternal rest surrounded by caring loved ones on November 5th, 2022.

Lois was born August 10, 1930, in Chicago, IL to William F. and Genevieve M. (O’Brien) Hanke.  She graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago after which, she began a 3 year courtship with George M. Pales. The couple married on June 3, 1950 and shared 67 wonderful years of marriage. Together, they raised 3 children in Berwyn, IL.

Vacations to scenic Lake Wisconsin during the 1960’s were inspirational in the couple’s decision to purchase property and build a family home, on what would later become Paradise Island, in Okee.  The lake’s quietness and beauty afforded a wonderful retreat from city life in Chicago as well as a fun and special gathering place for the growing family.  Lois enjoyed the splendor of countless sunsets over the Baraboo Bluffs.  On a cloudy morning she could be quoted saying, “The sun will be out by noon.”  And after each rainfall she would search for the beauty in God’s glorious promise of the rainbow.  Lois along with her husband George were fortunate to escape many cold snowy Wisconsin winters to the sunshine, warmth and beauty of St. Petersburg, Florida where Lois shared a priceless relationship with her dear sister Ruth.

Lois was a much loved and devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother who cherished spending time together with her much adored family.  She set a lifelong example of hard work and emphasized the importance of family unity and faith with her family.  Her infectious smile and warm heart made her a friend to countless numbers of people throughout the years.  Lois will be tremendously missed by not only her family, but all the lives she touched.

Surviving Lois are her three loving children and their spouses: Debbie (Richard) Hode of Crystal Lake, IL; George Pales, Jr. (Carla) of Littleton, CO; Kenneth (Nancy) Pales of Denver, NC; 7 Grandchildren; Todd (Catherine) Hode, Scott (Niki) Hode, Alyson (Kirk) Shore, Christopher (Dee) Pales; Timothy (Janessa) Pales, Christina (Neil) Blazin, Brittany (Bryan) Gallagher, and 16 Great-Grandchildren; Johnathon, Ivana, Paige, Kate, Ella, Caleb, Lydia, Brielle, Ava, Preston, Mylan, Grayson, Theodore, Faye, Josephine and Zoey.  Lois is also survived by many special nieces, nephews and dear friends.  In addition to her parents, Lois was preceded in death by her husband, George Pales, Sr. in 2018; her sister, Ruth (Hanke) McCallum; and her brother, William Hanke.

Memorial services will be held privately. The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Feed My Starving Children at fmsc.org.