Obit for HANKA, Paul M (b.1916 d.2005), St. Louis Co., MN
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Submitted: January 2005
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Paul M. Hanka, 89, dies

Paul M. Hanka, 89, passed away on Thurs., Jan. 20, 2005 at the Good 
Samaritan Nursing Home in St. Croix Falls, WI, after a year-long battle 
with cancer. He was born Jan. 19, 1916 in Embarrass, the son of Alex and 
Elizabeth (Saari) Hanka.

Paul grew up and graduated from Embarrass in 1931 and briefly attended 
Ely Junior College. He became self-employed and owned a logging camp in 
Embarrass until WWII started when he volunteered and served in the U.S. 
Army in Kodiac Bay, AK. In 1945 Paul moved to Chicago where he met his 
future wife, Esther Johnson. They married and moved to Embarrass with 
Esther's son, Donald. Paul worked in construction in the various projects 
of that time period: Hoyt Lakes, Erie Mining Company, MP&L Power Plant, 
etc.

Paul and Esther moved from their home in Embarrass to Lake Vermilion and 
stayed there 18 years until the property became too difficult to care 
for. The couple then moved to Babbitt in 1990. After Esther passed on, 
Paul moved to Wyoming, MN in 1998 to be close to his stepson and 
daughter-in-law. Paul was an excellent story-teller and will be dearly 
missed.

He is survived by his stepson: Donald (Gretchen) Selander of Chisago 
City; granddaughters: Debra and Lori; grandsons: Douglas of Florida, and 
Donald, Daniel and David of the Minneapolis area; brothers: Henry 
(Katherine) of Aurora and Walter (Domenica) of Pike River; sisters: Adele 
Buono of Saugerties, NY and Anelma (Art Richter) of NY; numerous great-
grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife Esther in 1997; 
sister: Inez Takkunen; brother: Levi Hanka; niece Susan Maki; and nephew: 
Richard Hanka.

Funeral services were held on Tues., Jan. 25, 2005 at Grace Lutheran 
Church in Ely. Pastor Bill Fossum officiated at the service. Military 
Honors accorded by the Babbitt Color Guard. A spring interment will be 
held in the Argo Cemetery in Babbitt.

Family services provided by Kerntz Brothers, a Bauman Family Funeral Home 
in Ely. To share a remembrance of Paul online, please see: 
www.baumanfuneralhome.com.