Arthur Henke

Arthur Henke, 93, Jamestown, died Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City, ND.

“Art” Arthur Lawrence Henke was born August 12, 1929 at a farm between Fredonia and Kulm in McIntosh County to Fred and Hannah (Schneider) Henke.  He was the first baby baptized at the new Zion II Lutheran Rural Church near Ashley where he was later confirmed. The family moved to a Streeter farm when he was about twelve years old.

On January 31, 1951 he married Esther Annetta Gumke, daughter of Jacob (Jake) and Louisa Sophia (Schlecht) Gumke of Medina and they farmed between Streeter and Gackle.  After two years they decided to move to Jamestown where he was employed by City Laundry, Hazelton Construction and eventually became his own boss doing construction work, operating a backhoe, Art’s Excavating; and provided roller skating entertainment for the public at Art’s Rollarena.

Art enjoyed taxidermy, fishing and boating, playing guitar, gospel and country music, woodworking, traveling in the motorcoach which took them south for many years of winter retirement enjoyment.  One of his favorite projects was refurbishing a family heirloom, a windmill built on the family farmstead by his dad in the summer of 1929.  The restored windmill, a 50-foot tower, was dedicated to his father and greets visitors to the Frontier Village in Jamestown.

There were many occasions Art shared with his family and friends through his work, skating, camping, and eating ice cream.  Many special memories were made.  When dad did the cooking, it was milk soup or cheesebuttons (no onions!)  He especially enjoyed custard Kuchen and would question “Where’s the fruit?”  He looked forward to each morning having breakfast with friends at local restaurants and later in the day for more company over a meal with conversation.

He was a member of New Hope Free Lutheran Church and appreciated the Christian fellowship and kindness.

Art is survived by daughters Ann (Larry) Knecht, Pat (Erwin) Fischer, Kathy (Gary) Suko, and Lori (Jody) Woehl; brothers Melvin (Clara) Henke, and Donald Frigen.  He has 12 grandchildren, Scott, Amy, Melissa, Becky, Peppy, Camille, Chad, Tony, Leslie, Jon, Jessica, Jordan; and many great grandchildren and was a great, great grandfather!

Preceding him in death were his wife Esther (2004), son Larry Arthur Henke, parents and stepmothers Olga and Johanna; a sister Lenora; brothers Fredrick, Wilfred, Verjane, Delbert, Marvin Eckman, Duane Eckman, Marvin Frigen, and Allen Frigen, and 5 infant brothers and sisters.

Services will be held in the spring with interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Jamestown.

Suggested memorials are for New Hope Free Lutheran Church in Jamestown, Jamestown Hospital or your choice of remembrance.

THE FUNERAL WILL BE AVAILABLE TO VIEW ON THE CHURCH'S FACEBOOK PAGE - CLICK HERE