Helmuth Henke, Jr.

Helmuth Henke, Jr., age 90, New Effington, SD, passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at St. Gerard's Community of Care in Hankinson, ND.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 24, at 2:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Claire City, SD, with Rev. Larry Johnson officiating.  Music will be provided by organist Edwin Arndt, Jr.

Burial will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Derrick Worner, Josh Underberg, Warren Fellbaum, Bruce Kadoun, Marshal Meyer, and Jon Meyer.

Visitation will be Monday afternoon one hour prior to the service at the church.

Helmuth Henke, Jr., was born December 30, 1928, to Helmuth R. and Amanda F.V. (Johnson) Henke, Sr, in rural Richland County, North Dakota.  He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in rural Claire City.  Jr. attended rural school and graduated from Sisseton High School on May 13, 1946.  During his childhood through graduation from high school, Jr. and his parents and siblings lived in four different farmsteads, finally landing at the home place on the North Dakota/South Dakota border.

On January 6, 1955, Jr. entered the U.S. Army where he served as a dental assistant.  He was honorably discharged December 20, 1956, and returned home to farm with his father.  Jr. retired from farming in 2005 and moved to a house in New Effington.

Jr. enjoyed farming with his John Deere farm equipment and was fond of the horses he had during his life.  He spent many years teaching Sunday school and attending men's Bible study.

Survivors include his sister, Marlene (Billy) Kutter of New Effington; two nieces, Naomi Underberg and Nadine Worner; and several great nieces and nephews.

Jr. was preceded in death by his father, Helmuth; mother, Amanda; and brother, Reinhardt.