Mary Jane Henke
October 11, 1927 ~ August 27, 2022
Mary Jane (Grothoff) Henke, 94, of Taos passed away peacefully on August 27, 2022, at Westphalia Hills surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Taos, Missouri on October 11, 1927, the daughter of Anton and Augusta (Forck) Grothoff. She was a graduate of Taos High school in 1945.
She was united in marriage on September 1, 1951, at St Francis Xavier Church in Taos to Fredrick Frank Henke who preceded her in death in 2017. We’re sure they are dancing in Heaven.
Mary Jane had love for God and her family up until the end. Her devotion to her faith, family, and community was unique for the people who had the privilege to know her.
Mary Jane was a lifelong member of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church where she played the organ since 1939. Because of her love for music and devotion to the church, she was very blessed to be able to play for hundreds of weddings along with anniversaries, funerals, weekday children’s masses and holidays masses with her beloved choir that included many of her family members. Mary Jane loved the fact that she was invited to play the organ in many parishes in the central Missouri area.
Her other passions included spending time with family, canning, embroidery, travel and watching the St. Louis Cardinals or whoever her son Tom was playing for.
Mary Jane was a lifelong caregiver for her nine children and in her “free time” babysat at home for others while her children were young. She also found time to work at Joannes’ Egg Ranch where she developed lifelong friendships with the ladies that she worked with.
She will forever be remembered by her children: Daniel (Diane) Henke, Patricia LeComte, Thomas (Kathy) Henke, Greg (Laura) Henke, Keith (Mary Jo) Henke, JoAnn (Howard) Pointer, Kevin Henke and Valerie (Wes) Lang and her 19 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren with two on the way. Other survivors include her siblings, Herman Grothoff, Wilford (Rita) Grothoff, Tom (Agnes) Grothoff, Bill (Barbara) Grothoff.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Fred of nearly 70 years; her children, Mary Ann Henke, Jane Henke, James Henke and her son-in-law Thomas LeComte. Her siblings, Fredrick Grothoff, Dorothy (Joe) Luebbering, Henrietta (Herb) Kroll, Loretta (George) Hilkemeyer; sister-in-law’s Wilma Grothoff, Alice Lammers, Evelyn Higgins, Alberta Ratliff, Maryann Lammers; brother-in-law, Bernard Henke; and her parents, Anton and Augusta Grothoff.
The family wishes to send a special message to the amazing staff at Westphalia Hills and Hospice Compassus for the love they showed our mom and the support they gave our family. They showed us that there are truly angels in this world.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos with a prayer service at 3 p.m. Additional visitation will be 9-10 a.m. Thursday at the church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, September 1, 2022, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos.
Burial will be in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com
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To the entire Henke family…God bless you!
Your mom – and dad – were the stuff of novels. The perfect family at the perfect time in the perfect place with the perfect mom and the perfect dad and the almost perfect kids. 🙂 Truly, I have envied all of you for over 20 years. I came from a family much like yours, with parents kind-of like yours, in a time much like yours. But instead of the peace and love and comfort you remember, my memories are very different.
When my mom died several years ago, I found that I missed her hugs as if they were oxygen. I asked Patty if I would be out of line to ask your mom for a hug now and them. Your mom’s response was so incredible and loving! I have always dreamed of people like your parents…I truly thought they were the fantasy of literature.
All I can say to you now is I love you, I hurt for you, and I am so pleased that your parents are reunited forever! If you need anything, please call or text. I will be there whenever for whatever!!
Our deepest sympathy to your family. Treasure all the happy memories and find comfort in knowing that she is now reunited with all those she loved who went before her. I know she is reaping the rewards in Heaven for a life well lived!!
With deepest sympathy from (The Late Louie) Debbie ,Bryce & Tyler Branson
Good memories of MARY Jane , Fred and the Henke Family. Deepest Sympathy.
What a beautiful picture of sweet Mary Jane. I am so sorry and will not be able to come to services as I will out of town spending time with my daughter. She was a wonderful lady and I will always remember her playing the organ at our wedding and again at our 50th anniversary celebration. She was the best. She is now with Fred, who was Bob’s first cousin. They are having a reunion.
God Bless Us All.
A BLESSED LIFE
MARY JANE WAS KIND WITH
EVERY BREADTH SHE TOOK
HER LIFE WAS LIVED
LIKE A FAITH-INSPIRED BOOK
THAT GLIMMER IN HER EYE
AND THAT SWEET ANGELIC SMILE
ALWAYS INDICATED FOR ME
SHE WOULD WALK FOR YOU A MILE
SHE WAS THE BACKBONE,
THE FOUNDATION OF OUR COMMUNITY
FOR HER, SERVICE MEANT
GIVING TO OTHERS IN TOTAL HARMONY
HER FAITH WAS UNSHAKABLE
AND SPIRITUALLY DRIVEN
THERE WAS NOT A MEAN BONE IN HER BODY
HER CHARITY WAS GOD-GIVEN
WHEN A COMMUNITY MEMBER DIED
SHE PERSONALLY FELT THEIR LOSS
IT WAS AS IF SHE EXPERIENCED THEIR PAIN,
LIKE CHRIST UPON THE CROSS
NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE OF HER DEMEANOR
CONTINUE TO WALK THIS EARTH
AND IT’S UNDOUBTEDLY TRUE THAT SHE WAS
LIKE THAT FROM THE DAY OF HER BIRTH
WE WILL PAUSE JUST A MOMENT AND REFLECT
ON MARY JANE’S GLORIOUS LIFE OF SERVICE AND LOVE
AND BE GRATEFUL THAT HER AND FRED
ARE SMILING DOWN FROM THEIR CELESTIAL HOME ABOVE
SADLY MISSED
BUT FOREVER LOVED
RALPH & DARLENE
AUGUST 30, 2022
I got to know Mary Jane & Fred through my brother (Howard & wife JoAnn Henke(Pointer) they would have birthday parties or get togethers at their house so that is how I got to met this fabulous LADY
Greg and Family
Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Greg and Family
Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Dear Keith and Mary Jo, so sorry to read about your mother’s passing. Marty and I will be praying for your family during this time.
Our sincere sympathy to the Henke family for the loss of the of Mary Jane! She was truly a very wonderful woman who gave so much to everyone she new. We will pray for all of you during this difficult time!
Love all the memories of growing up. Loved Mary Jane ❤ My Prayers Go Out To Family And Friends.
My Prayers Go Out To Family And Friends ❤
Patty and family,
Steve and I send our most sincere sympathy and pray that you will be comforted by knowing that your parents are together in our Lords Kingdom.
Aunt Mary Jane You will be Missed. My Prayers go out to Family And Friends.
My sincerest sympathy to each of you family members of dear Mary Jane. I feel sure that Fred and Sister Mary Jude welcomed her with open arms and a song!! Know that all of you are in my prayers as your grieve her loss.
Ruth Rutledge and Family has purchased Eternal Friendship for Mary Henke
My deepest condolences to the family. May God be with you in the days to come. Rest in peace, Mary Jane.
Keith, Mary Jo and family,
You have my most sincere sympathy and prayers at this time.
Dear family of Mary Jane and Fred–I knew your mom and dad from our Diocesan Cenacle of the Marian Movement of priests. I still am just marveling at the life in Christ of Mary Jane and Fred. We have had a lovely group of people in our Cenacle, and we had two great priest leaders, including Fr. Dave Maher. So we had the great joy of celebrating our “Cenacle Days” in St. Francis Xavier. Our Lady well intends for fellowship to develop in our Cenacles, both in families and friends and for sure in the priests. You could even say Our Lord sent his Mother to bring so much healing to today’s people in this particular way. Mary Jane and Fred were such great sweethearts, so we certainly can be happy for them to be together again. Love in Jesus, Anne Quick, Columbia MO
To The Henke Family.Your mother was such an Icon for Taos and anywhere she went.Her love of music for all those years.Sending Prayers for Mary Jane and Family.Heaven has entered a grand lady.God Bless.
To the most amazing lady. I’m going to miss you so much. And to the family you all are amazing you all are in my thoughts and prayers
To all the Henke Family. I am sending you my dearest love and thoughts to you all. As you know Mary Jane had a very special place in my heart. She always opened her home to us with her beautiful smile and her adorable laugh. She will forever be missed.
Your mom was a beautiful lady! We know you with miss her but your memories can never be taken away from you kids!
Prayers for All….✝️✝️✝️
Charlie & Pat Roll