John Martin Hanekamp, 75, passed away at his home in Whitewater on October 16, 2024 after a courageous year and a half long battle with cancer.

 John is survived by his amazing and loving wife of 52 years, Susan (Steck) Hanekamp, brother Mike (Tina) Hanekamp, sister Ann Manzella, sister-in-law Rebecca Turley, a son Stephen (Alyssa) Hanekamp, a daughter Michelle (Jon) Marshall and 7 wonderful grandchildren, Jacob, Joshua, Emily, Makenzie, Caitlyn, Tucker and Tanner. He was proceeded in death by his brother Robert, sister Carol and brother-in-law Doug Turley. 

John was born February 16, 1949 in Evanston, Illinois.  John graduated from Des Plaines High School in 1968.  He then attended UW-Whitewater before deciding to work at Art Lien’s Menswear in Whitewater, where he met the love of his life, Susan. The rest was history. They were married in 1972. With John’s entrepreneurial abilities, John and Sue opened and ran a very successful business, Sassy Shirts in Whitewater for 30 years. 

In 2010 they sold Sassy Shirts and moved to Miramar Beach, Florida. John loved walking and biking along the beach and enjoying the sunshine. John always looked forward to his walks with Tucker and Tanner and early morning breakfast runs with Jacob and Joshua when they visited.

In March 2023, John discovered the tickle in his throat was cancer and he began his fight with chemo and radiation. The cancer became too aggressive and with other health complications his body just gave out. 

John will always be remembered by his family for his love of his grandchildren. He absolutely adored talking to them, watching them play sports and attending their school activities. He was the best “Papa.” 

A visitation will be held at Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater on October 26, 2024 at 11:00 am with a service to follow at 12:30 pm. The family would like to invite you for a light luncheon at 841 Brewhouse following the service. 

The family would like to extend their thanks to Rainbow Hospice and the many doctors, nurses, and staff at UW Hospital in Madison.  In lieu of flowers, the family would request a donation be made to the UW Carbone Cancer
Center in memory of John. Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

“Whenever you see a rainbow, know that it’s Papa looking down and smiling at you.”