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Rhea Deanne "Dee" Henkel
Rhea Deanne "Dee" Henkel
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Dee was raised in West Allis, Wisconsin and was a nursing graduate from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing-Loyola University in Evanston, IL. She proudly served as a Flying Tiger flight nurse supporting the US military in 14 countries over a period of 6 months. Her nursing career also included time as a surgical nurse and in the early 1950's she assisted with the first aortic transplant in the United States. Upon moving to Battle Creek in 1966, she was an orthopedic nurse at Leila Hospital and an office nurse for Dr. Richard Allen.
Dee married Erich Peter Henkel on June 23, 1956, and they celebrated 58 years together. Dee & Erich raised five children and spent their early years in Crete, Illinois and Boulder, Colorado. The family moved to Battle Creek in 1966 where they opened Capital Lincoln Mercury. In 1969, they built Erich Henkel Lincoln-Mercury, and expanded the family business with the opening of Henkel Chrysler Jeep-Dodge in 1993.
Erich and Dee were blessed to travel and enjoyed several years at their winter home in St. George, Utah.
Dee enjoyed reading, crafts & cross stitch, golf, tennis, bowling and caring for her beloved Yorkshire terriers. She was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church where she served as a Lectern and would often help distribute communion. In her retirement from nursing, she also served as a Red Cross Volunteer.
Dee is survived by her Daughters: Linda (Daniel) Garcia of Battle Creek, MI and Susan (Charles) Kerr of Corpus Christi, TX; Sons: David Henkel of Battle Creek, MI, Daniel (Regina) Henkel of Battle Creek, MI, E. Thomas "Tom" (Laurel) Henkel of Battle Creek, MI; Grandchildren: Thomas Garcia, Dr. Christine Glaser, Katherine Yeske, Anna Myers, Erich Kerr, Corey Kerr, Timothy Henkel, Michael Henkel, Logan Henkel, Grant Henkel and Cole Henkel; 14 Great-Grandchildren, Sister-In-Law Ursula Henkel and Nephew: Mark McKee. She was preceded in death by her Parents, Siblings; Lois McKee and Neil Ingbretson and husband Erich who passed January 7, 2015.
Private family service will take place at Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service. Interment will take place in the Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Philip Catholic Church or Binder Park Zoo.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
Julie Moreno
May 6, 2024
Meeting Dee at Heritage Assisted Living in 2014, when I worked as a Dietary Aide there. I had to know what she liked to eat and what she didn't. That Dee was Lactose free a d what cereal or if she'd want oatmeal. I attend St. Joseph Catholic Church and heard her last name mentioned at Saturday night Mass. Then an employee I worked with when I was at Heritage told me yes, this was Dee and Rhea was her actual first name. She sat at the corner table up front in the Dining Room, where she had a good view of the parking lot and could see family and other visitors coming and goin. Dee sat with Ms. Diane, Ms. Ruth who have also passed and Ms. Jane who still resides at Heritage, and still sits at that very table in the same spot she always say in. I feel now with Dee's passing we too have come full circle. I'm now doin home healthcare and am with a resident at Heritage doin private care. I'll always remember Ms. Dee as a Lady with a great love for life, family. May y'all be comforted that she in peace with the Lord, Angel's and all the Saint's as well as her Beloved Husband Erich. May God's Embrace surround y'all thru this time of lose.
Julie Moreno
6 May 2024
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