ESTHER M. HENKE

Esther Mae Henke passed away at age 92 at Heritage Estates in Gering, NE on January 5, 2017.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, January 11th. Wake Services will be at 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 10th. Both services will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Dave Rykwalder officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Tuesday from 1-4:00 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made in Esther’s name to the Mintken-Davison American Legion Auxiliary. You may view Esther’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com.
Esther Mae Henke was born at the family farm near Dalton in Cheyenne County, NE on May 26, 1924. Her parents were George and Laura (Dirks) Young. She attended Harmony and Center rural schools. She finished her high school education in Sidney, NE and graduated with the Class of 1941. She went to business school for a couple of years in Denver CO.
Esther married Raymond Henry Henke at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dalton NE on October 22, 1949. They operated a farm and ranch west of Dalton all of their married life. On January 1, 1958, Ray and Esther adopted two boys, Joe and Dale. Esther was an announcer for the Dalton Hour for KSID radio for many years. She worked for the gas company in Dalton, NE as a receptionist for several years. Esther and several of her friends have put in a lot of hours sewing and quilting for various people and organizations over the years. She volunteered many hours at St. Patrick’s Rummage House while living in Sidney.
Esther moved from the family farm to Dalton in 1989. She sold her home in Dalton October 1994. She then moved to Sidney and lived in an apartment. She was a resident of Sloan Estates Assisted Living Center for nearly four years. She moved to Heritage Estates in Gering in March 2015.
Esther is survived by (2) sons: Joe Henke and wife Barbara of Sunol, NE, and Dale Henke of Sidney; (4) grandchildren: Kevin and wife Amy Henke of Dalton, Heather Henke of Dalton, Teresa Henke and Estelle Landa and (4) great-grandchildren.
Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, and parents George and Laura Young, one sister Hazel Thurston, and two brothers, Donald Young and Harold Young.