Mary Jane Henke

Mary Jane (Grothoff) Henke, 94, of Taos passed away peacefully on August 27, 2022, at Westphalia Hills surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Taos, Missouri on October 11, 1927, the daughter of Anton and Augusta (Forck) Grothoff.  She was a graduate of Taos High school in 1945.

She was united in marriage on September 1, 1951, at St Francis Xavier Church in Taos to Fredrick Frank Henke who preceded her in death in 2017.  We’re sure they are dancing in Heaven.

Mary Jane had love for God and her family up until the end.  Her devotion to her faith, family, and community was unique for the people who had the privilege to know her.

Mary Jane was a lifelong member of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church where she played the organ since 1939.  Because of her love for music and devotion to the church, she was very blessed to be able to play for hundreds of weddings along with anniversaries, funerals, weekday children’s masses and holidays masses with her beloved choir that included many of her family members.  Mary Jane loved the fact that she was invited to play the organ in many parishes in the central Missouri area.

Her other passions included spending time with family, canning, embroidery, travel and watching the St. Louis Cardinals or whoever her son Tom was playing for.

Mary Jane was a lifelong caregiver for her nine children and in her “free time” babysat at home for others while her children were young.  She also found time to work at Joannes’ Egg Ranch where she developed lifelong friendships with the ladies that she worked with.

She will forever be remembered by her children: Daniel (Diane) Henke, Patricia LeComte, Thomas (Kathy) Henke, Greg (Laura) Henke, Keith (Mary Jo) Henke, JoAnn (Howard) Pointer, Kevin Henke and Valerie (Wes) Lang and her 19 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren with two on the way.  Other survivors include her siblings, Herman Grothoff, Wilford (Rita) Grothoff, Tom (Agnes) Grothoff, Bill (Barbara) Grothoff.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Fred of nearly 70 years; her children, Mary Ann Henke, Jane Henke, James Henke and her son-in-law Thomas LeComte.  Her siblings, Fredrick Grothoff, Dorothy (Joe) Luebbering, Henrietta (Herb) Kroll, Loretta (George) Hilkemeyer; sister-in-law’s Wilma Grothoff, Alice Lammers, Evelyn Higgins, Alberta Ratliff, Maryann Lammers; brother-in-law, Bernard Henke; and her parents, Anton and Augusta Grothoff.

The family wishes to send a special message to the amazing staff at Westphalia Hills and Hospice Compassus for the love they showed our mom and the support they gave our family.  They showed us that there are truly angels in this world.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos with a prayer service at 3 p.m.  Additional visitation will be 9-10 a.m. Thursday at the church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, September 1, 2022, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos.

Burial will be in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City.  trimblefunerals.com