Michael Hernke
January 30, 1958 — October 7, 2017
Michael Owen Hernke, age 59, a lifelong resident of Cannon Falls, died at home on Saturday evening, October 7, 2017, while surrounded by love.
Mike was born on January 30, 1958 in Zumbrota, MN, the son of Owen and Gladys (Swelland) Hernke. He graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1976.
He was a lifelong member of Urland Lutheran Church, where he was baptized, confirmed and married to Brenda D. Quittem on July 15, 1978. He was a praise and worship team member for over 10 years.
Mike worked for 23 years at Hernke’s, Inc. and was also an owner/operator as a truck driver for 15 years. He loved music, especially singing and playing drums. He enjoyed family vacations, hunting, and pontoon rides. He was in to dirt track racing for many years, and car #37 was one to watch! His latest car was a cancer awareness race car that exhibited at local dirt tracks, where he also sang the national anthem and spoke about cancer awareness. He loved spending time with his family, and especially loved making big breakfasts, where the chocolate chip pancakes were a hit!
He will be greatly missed by his family … wife of 39 years, Brenda; three children, Nathan (Melanie), Nicole (Brian) Hines, and Heather, all of Cannon Falls; six special grandchildren, Blake, Luke, Ava and Kyle Hernke, Harper and Lauren Hines; his mother, Gladys of Cannon Falls; siblings, Gwen (Rick) Knowlton of Cannon Falls, Sheryl (Jim) Soule of Lakeville, Susan Pallin (Jerry Mattson) of Roseville, Dale, David (Joni Quam), and Marc (Julie), all of Cannon Falls; parents-in-law, Oscar and Marlyce Quittem of Cannon Falls; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Gail Quittem of Rochester, Dan (Becky) Quittem of Mankato, Erik (Londa) Quittem of Lakeville, and Nancy (Curt) Beissel of Cannon Falls; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He also leaves behind many friends, coworkers, and his beloved dog, Buddy.
Mike was preceded in death by his father, Owen on March 25, 2016.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 13 from 4-8 p.m. at Lundberg Funeral Home, Cannon Falls. Funeral service will be on Saturday, October 14 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation from 10-11 a.m., at Urland Lutheran Church, Cannon Falls. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Nathan and Blake Hernke, Brian Hines, Dale, David, and Marc Hernke. Honorary pallbearers will be his remaining grandchildren and Jim Soule, Rick Knowlton, Jerry Mattson, Dan Quittem, Erik Quittem, Curt Beissel, Pete Gjestvang, and Jeff Zemke.
Memorials are preferred in Mike’s memory to Urland Church or donor’s choice.