Virginia Kay "Ginny" Henke

1939 - 2024

Virginia Kay "Ginny" Henke Bremen, IN - Virginia "Ginny" Kay (Hensler) Henke (84) passed away on July 27, 2024, at her home surrounded by family. Virginia was born on Oct. 16, 1939, at Epworth Hospital in South Bend. The daughter of Howard Melvin Hensler and Ruth Elnora (Klein) Hensler.
On August 20, 1961, she married R.T. (Ronald Thomas) Henke.
She is survived by her loving husband R.T., her three children: Susan Lynne Henke and son-in-law Martin Peter McGrath of North Andover, MA, Julie Anne Henke of Bettendorf, IA, Kristen Carol Henke of Bettendorf, IA, and three grandchildren: Kevin Ellis McGrath, Cameron James McGrath, and Anna Therese McGrath. She is survived by her brother: John Dee Hensler and his wife Carolyn Joy (Weiss) Hensler of Oxford, OH, and sister: Donna Jeanne (Hensler) Weston and her husband Larry Lee Weston of Bremen, IN.
Virginia graduated from Madison Township High School in 1957, Purdue University with a BS in Home Economics in 1961, and a MS in Educational Theory and Practice from State University of New York at Albany, NY in 1991.
The Henkes moved in 1961 to Schenectady, NY where they lived and raised their family. Virginia was a Schenectady County Cooperative Extension Service Agent (Cornell University) for three years and an active member of the Junior League. In 1980 she received the Schenectady Junior League Volunteer of the Year Award.
She enjoyed teaching adult education and life skills classes and six years of Junior High School Home Economics. Throughout her life, Virginia was heavily involved with volunteer activities and had a passion and gift for project planning and the coordination of volunteer efforts.
In Schenectady, Virginia developed the first primary school Breakfast Program, chaired the Hunger Task Force, and was a key volunteer for Schenectady 2000 program (a community-based effort of planning for the year 2000); for which she chaired the Landscape Committee and was the task force leader for the Stockade Gateway Project beautifying and accenting the entrance way of the historic stockade where the French and Indian raid of 1690 occurred.
Virginia was an active member of Union Presbyterian Church and the Schenectady Inner City Ministry.
In 1999 Virginia and R.T. returned to Bremen, IN following R.T.'s retirement from General Electric. A farewell dinner was held in their honor with over 80 friends, co-volunteers, government and community officials. The couple was honored with twin keys to the City of Schenectady, a celestial star "Henke Bright Spot" and a pocket park "Henke Park" in appreciation for years for community volunteering and the positive impact over their 38 years in Schenectady.
Upon return to Bremen, Virginia became involved in the restoration of the Bremen Train Depot and the formation of Bremen's Historical Society and Historic Bremen, Inc., where she was instrumental in creating the layout and design of both the Bremen Depot and the History Center. She chaired the committee that formed the Madison Township History Center at Madison Elementary School in St. Joseph County. She served as Secretary of the Henke Family Foundation and as the Administrator of the Howard and Ruth Hensler Scholarship Fund at Penn-Harris-Madison School District in St. Joseph County. She was a board member of the Whitlock Retirement Community in Bremen and Treasurer and active member of St. John United Church of Christ in Woodland.
Memorials can be made to Historic Bremen, Inc. P.O. Box 471, Bremen, IN 46506, Madison Township History Center, 6811 Dogwood Road, Wakarusa, IN 46573, St. John UCC-Woodland, P.O. Box 35, Wyatt, IN 46595.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, August 2, 2024 at Mishler Funeral Home, 2030 St Rd 331, Bremen. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., August 3, 2024 at St. John UCC, 63900 IN-331, Woodland with visitation at 10 a.m., one hour before the funeral service. Burial will follow in the St. John Cemetery. Lunch will be provided in the church.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mishlerfuneralhomes.com