Obituary of Emma Marie Henke
Emma Anna Marie (Heiser) Henke passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2013, surrounded by family at Harmony House Living Center.
The celebration of Emma?s life will be held on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 11:00 am at St. Luke?s Lutheran Church, Wisconsin Rapids. Pastors Tim Wenger and Tom Graves will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 3, 2013 from 6 to 9 pm at the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and from 9:30 am until the time of services on Monday at the church.
Emma was born on June 10, 1918 in the Town of Sigel to Martin and Martha (Mueller) Heiser. She was the oldest of five children. She graduated from Snyder Elementary School in Sigel and from Lincoln High School (1936). Emma held various jobs while attending high school from working in a bakery to assisting in home care.
Emma married Donald Henke on September 1, 1937, at St. John?s Lutheran church in the town of Sigel. In May 1950, they started Henke?s Floors and Furnishings and continued working in the business until their retirement. Emma was a hard working, thoughtful woman who was a charter member of St. Luke?s Lutheran Church. She was a Sunday School teacher, who actively participated and held various offices? in Ladies Aid, AAL, Lutheran Laymens League, and a variety of Ministry Circles. She was also active in organizations at Immanuel Lutheran School and Lincoln High School during her children?s school years. In her later years, she continued to enjoy the camaraderie during quilting with Dorcas Circle, documenting the history of the church, and participating in many activities at St. Luke?s Lutheran Church.
Emma enjoyed gardening, flowers, nature, and baking for friends and family. She was a tremendous correspondent with family and friends here and abroad.
She is survived by her son, David (Victoria) Henke, Wisconsin Rapids, Carol Jean (Gerald) Pundt, Bloomington, Minnesota, and Marla (Richard) Adams, Franklin, Massachusetts. 9 grandchildren, Daniel Henke, Christopher Henke, Cathy Henke, Cindy Kallstrom, Sarah Halfen, Christy Geiger, Amy Ehnert, Katelyn Ziegler, Justin Adams, and 16 great-grandchildren who eagerly visited and learned many lessons from Nana. Other survivors include a brother, Albert (Jeannine) Heiser, and a sister V. Rachel (Charles) Schroeder, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Don, parents, sisters Esther Heiser and Laura Scheunemann, brothers-in-law Edgar and Ervin Henke, John Goldberg, Milton Scheunemann, and sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Henke, Mildred Henke, and Della Goldberg.
Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Wisconsin Rapids, is assisting the family.
Memorials may be given to the Immanuel Lutheran School Fund, The Lutheran Hour, St. Luke?s Student Fund, or the organization of your choice.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the loving care provided by the Harmony House Staff and Riverview Hospital, second floor Doctors and Staff.
