Obituary of Donald Hugo Henke

Parkston – Donald “Donnie” Hugo Henke, 76, went to his heavenly home Monday, June 16, 2025 at Avera St. Benedict Hospital.  Funeral service will be Friday, June 20 at 10:30 am, with visitation beginning at 9:30 am, at Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston.  Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

Donnie was born Friday, February 4th, 1949, to Hugo and Regina (Sperlich) Henke in Parkston, SD. The first born, he was followed by a sister Marilyn and a brother Gaylen. He helped his father on the farm while growing up and during his school years. He attended Parkston Public School and graduated in 1967. He ventured to Omaha, NE, where he attended Universal Trades School for mechanics. Due to his mother’s illness and death, he returned home to help on the farm. Being an ambitious and hard worker, Donnie took on extra jobs. He worked at Scheetz implement when they were downtown and helped through their transition to the highway location. Donnie was also friends with the local law enforcement officers and that got him into helping at the Milltown dances. He enjoyed that so well that he attended the DCI law enforcement academy in Pierre. He served Parkston as a part time police officer from 1976 through 1995. He also drove the school bus for Parkston Transit and had the benefit of being able to attend all the school activities and the excitement that came along with it. Donnie also coached and played on softball teams and was also a league bowler. Donnie is a lifetime member of the Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston where he was baptized, served on the church council, taught Sunday school, was a Luther League advisor, an usher, and an advisor. He was also active in the Jaycees and the Lions Club. Following in his father’s footsteps, he was the Liberty Township supervisor and ran the township road grader. He very much enjoyed visiting with family, friends, and neighbors. He especially loved time with his sister and brother and their extended families. He cherished the photos of him with Scott and Corey at the Twins and Vikings games, and bowling with Scott.

Grateful for having shared his life are his 2 siblings: Marilyn Goldammer of Mitchell, SD and Gaylen (LeAnn) Henke of Sioux Falls, SD; 4 nieces and nephews and their children: Scott Goldammer; Corey (Julia) Goldammer and their children Ashton and Mya; Amanda (Kevin) Thuringer and their children, Amelia and Gabrielle; and Allison (Shane) Stemper and their children, Breelyn and Grayson.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents and a brother-in-law, Randall Goldammer.