Roslyn Jean Henke

Roslyn Jean Henke, 69, of Center, passed away Friday, May 24, 2024, at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, June 3, 2024, at St. Martin Catholic Church, Center, ND with Rev. Stephen Folorunso as celebrant. Burial will be at St. Martin Cemetery. 

Visitation will be held Sunday, June 2, 2024, from 3:00-5:00 PM at St. Martin Catholic Church, Center, with a Rosary/Parish Vigil at 5:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Monday. 

Roslyn Jean (Jeannie) Henke was born December 3, 1954, to Walter and Mary (Freidig) Staigle in Belle Fourche, SD. She was the baby of their family, the youngest of 10. Jeannie was raised and educated at Center High School where she also met the love of her life. 

On July 13, 1974, she married David Henke at St. Martin’s Catholic Church. They made their home on David’s family farm where they remained to present day. Two years later they welcomed their first child, Thomas (Tom) David and 15 years later their second, Kathryn (Katie) Jo. 

Jeannie was employed at Center High School in the cafeteria for 36 years and always enjoyed making sure the school kids were fed. She made many special bonds always remarking that kids were always nice to the ladies that feed them. While working her job she also volunteered much of her time after work. She spent 30 plus years as the 2nd grade CCD teacher at St. Martins, sang in the church choir for several years and was still currently serving as a eucharistic minister. She also spent numerous years as a Women’s Way volunteer. A highlight of Jeannie's summers for many years was her participation in the Center Stage musical during Old Settlers. The last several years in the musical she even sang beside husband, David. She often shared some of her fond memories from the musical, David playing Elvis & her participation in the 1991 musical nine months pregnant.  

She was the most selfless mother and an abundant giver with a heart of gold. No task was ever too big for her and no matter how busy she was she would take time to do anything that was asked of her. It didn’t matter if it was baking or cooking, sewing or occasional farm work she always dropped everything. She was a tremendous cook & even better baker. Her Juneberry and Apple pies were always family favorites & will for sure be missed. In the spring and summer months you could find her in her garden or the backyard enjoying her flowers. If you ever came to visit, she’d always tell you to “just come sit a minute in the backyard.” 

Of all the titles Jeannie held though, wife, mom and eventually grandma were her absolute favorites. In her six years of retirement, if her and David weren’t home you could often find them running after their granddaughters. It didn’t matter what activity they had, donuts for grandparents’ day or a sports game, her and David were there. 

Jeannie is survived by her husband of almost 50 years David; her son, Thomas (Angela) Henke; granddaughters, Hali and Tayon, Dickinson; daughter, Kathryn (Chris) Simon, Hannover; siblings, Dorothy Wood, Hulette WY, Charles (Janet) Staigle, Center, ND, Marilyn (Ken) Barnhardt, Bozeman, MT, Mary (Wyman) Scheetz, Center, Tom (Paulette) Staigle, Glendive MT; brother in law, Dwight (Nancy) Henke, Hannover; sister in law, Paulette Hodgson (Jacksonville, FL), Betty Staigle, Bismarck, ND; numerous nieces and nephews; and very blessed friend, Judy McNulty. 

Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mary; mother and father-in-law, Nelvin and Charlotte Henke; siblings, George Staigle, William (Bill) Staigle, Martin Staigle, Martha Staigle and infant twins. 

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Garett McCabe & the Oliver County Ambulance.

In lieu of flowers the family asks donations be made to Oliver County Ambulace, Fire Dept, Historical Socieity or a charity of your choice.