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Published September 14, 2012, 03:07 PM

Hannelore MacKinney, 76

Hannelore MacKinney: Dec. 19, 1935 - Sept. 13, 2012

Hannelore MacKinney: Dec. 19, 1935 - Sept. 13, 2012

"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." John 11:25

On Sept. 13, 2012, Hannelore MacKinney received her promise of eternal life in Christ. Surrounded by her family, Hannelore died peacefully at home less than five months after her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Born to Werner and Helene Odorff, Hannelore was raised in the Charlottenburg district of Berlin, Germany. Hannelore was a child in Berlin during WWII and was evacuated from the city with her mother and siblings during bomb attacks. The Berlin Airlift in 1948-1949 provided the potato flakes and egg powder that nourished the family during the difficult post-war years. In 1955, she completed Abitur, pursued business vocational training, and then worked in a bank as a bookkeeper. In 1959, at the age of 23, Hannelore immigrated to the United States to pursue language studies at the University of Minnesota. She married John Biltz in 1960, and after he completed medical school, the couple moved to Panama for his medical internship. While Hannelore's husband served in the U.S. Air Force, the couple raised their young children in Nebraska, Texas, and Germany. After leaving the Air Force, the family settled in Red Wing in 1971, where Dr. Biltz worked as a radiologist.

Widowed in 1973, Hannelore married Samuel MacKinney in 1982. Together they were involved in their church, Christian Center, as well as local ministries and overseas missions through board membership, mailings, and prayer support.

Hannelore lent her accounting skills to many organizations as treasurer: Christian Center, Women's Aglow Fellowship, Gentle Doves ministry, hospital auxiliary, and other Christian missions. Hannelore's generosity, hospitality, culinary skills, quilting, sewing, and knitting have blessed her family, friends, and ministries.

Hannelore is survived by her husband of 30 years, Samuel MacKinney; her children, Kristina (Craig) Lunde of Red Wing, Rebecca (Chris) Nybo of Ventura, Calif., and Fredric Biltz of Red Wing; stepdaughter, Fiometta MacKinney of Apple Valley, Minn.; grandchildren, Claire and Bennett Carson of Red Wing; siblings, Renate BeVard of Syracuse, N.Y., Hans-Joachim Odorff of Berlin, Germany; sister-in-law, Carolyn Poylio (née Biltz) of Welch, as well as numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Hannelore was preceded in death by her first husband, John Biltz, and her son-in-law Lee Carson.

A memorial service will be held at United Lutheran Church of Red Wing at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, with Hannelore's pastor, Gerald D. Olson, presiding. At Hannelore's request, please consider a donation to a Christian mission of your choice in lieu of flowers or donations.

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Tammy B.
New Auburn, WI     09/14/2012 8:48 PM

Hannelore is one of my most favorite people that I ever had the pleasure to know. I was a neighbor and classmate and friend to her daughter Tina. Something inside me just really liked Hannelore. Later she would become my personal friend and sister in Jesus Christ. Hannelore is such a beautiful person. She is my friend who loved and accepted me as I am. She was always kind, encouraging and uplifting. She never judged me. Hannelore is my hero and a person that I would most like to be like. Thank You, God, for creating Hannelore. Thank You, God, for making her special; no one else could ever be like her. Thank You, Jesus that You give us salvation. I can understand, Lord, that You wanted to have Your jewel, Hannelore in Heaven with You. I am thankful that I know Hannelore and that she is my friend and sister in Jesus Christ. I am thankful to Jesus that I know she is in Heaven praising the Lord and that I will, again, get to worship You, God with Hannelore, when I get to Heaven. I am not sad for Hannelore, because I know she is where she wants to be, with Jesus. She will be greatly missed by me and her family and friends. I lift you all up in my prayers. Tammy Balts (aka: Tammy Burnell)

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