Virginia "Ginny" Renetta Henke, nee Wagner, age 92, of Onalaska, formerly of West Bend, Neshkoro, and Leesburg, FL, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2007 at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse.
She was born on October 30, 1914 in Chicago, IL and was the only child of the late Albert and Katherine Wagner. After completing her schooling in Chicago, Virginia moved to West Bend and was employed at the Amity Leather Company. On June 28, 1936 Virginia was united in marriage to Paul Henke Sr. in Chicago, IL and together they made their home in West Bend.
Virginia's career was her family. She enjoyed raising her two sons, helping at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in West Bend, where she was a member. She also organized and helped her husband as he was elected to several city and county positions, including Mayor of West Bend. Her husband Paul preceded her in death on June 11, 1992. For the eleven years Virginia was a resident of Cedar Ridge in West Bend, and since February of 2004 at Laurel Manor and Sterling House in Onalaska. To know Virginia was to love her. She was small but full of heart and spirit. If you were around her even a few minutes, you could get a sense of her personality. She will be missed by many.
Virginia is survived by her two sons, Paul and his wife Ann of Onalaska, and Jim and his wife Jayne of Montgomery, TX; four grandchildren, Nicole Davis and her husband Mike, Scott Henke and his wife Sara, Chad Henke and his wife Kathy, and Brent Henke; two great-grandchildren, Ally Henke, and Tyler Davis, with another great-grandchild expected in April; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Virginia will be held on Monday February 19th at 1:00 pm at the Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral Home, West Bend. Rev. George Mumm will officiate and burial will follow in Washington County Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 11:00 am until the time of service.
To honor Virginia's life, memorials may be given to the Gunderson Lutheran Hospice (1900 South Avenue LaCrosse, WI 54601) or the charity of your choice.