Nancy A. Henke

Nancy A. Henke, 82, a longtime High Forest, MN  resident died on Saturday  (December 5, 2020) of natural causes at the Stewartville Care Center, where she had been a resident for the past year.

Nancy Anne Briese was born on July 11, 1938 in Rochester,MN to Stephan ‘‘Pat” and Helen(Betcher) Briese.  She grew up in High Forest  attended Stewartville H.S.,  graduating in 1956. She was employed at Mayo Clinic in Rochester for a number of years. Nancy was married on December 4, 1965 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley,MN  to John  E. Henke.   Following their marriage, the couple lived in High Forest, where they raised their children and have made their home until 2018, when they moved to Stewartville. Nancy was a homemaker and after her children began to go to school , she was employed as a bus driver at Prokasky  Bus Service in Stewartville. When  Marni and Scott had graduated she was employed again at Mayo Clinic with the central appointment desk for over 16 years until her retirement in 1998. John was employed at Crenlo in Rochester for 2 years before a 27 year career at IBM in Rochester. Nancy’s Christian Faith was very important to her. She was a longtime active member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Stewartville including teaching Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday school and serving on numerous  Boards and Altar Guild for over 40 years. She also served on Wee Care and Scholarship committees, Friendship Club, Board of Christian Education, and with Orphan Grain Train. She enjoyed traveling, including trips to Europe,  Hawaii and Washington DC.  Nancy was a gifted baker of pies, krum kaka, cheesecake and peanut brittle. She always enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbors and loved time spent with her family, especially her grand-daughters.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 55 years –John;  her daughter –Marni Henke of Loveland,Co and her son – Scott(Jennie Henke) of Washington,DC and 2 grand-daughters – Katie Henke  and Elizabeth Henke; her brother – William “Buck”(Carol) Briese of Stewartville and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents,  and  her brother - Wayne Briese 

Nancy’s request was for her body to be part of the Anatomical Bequest Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. A memorial service will take place at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday( June 19, 2021)  at  St. Johns Lutheran Church in Stewartville with Rev. Lyle Fritsch officiating. A time of visitation will take place from 10:30 to the time of service at St. Johns Church.  Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of  Nancy are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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