Ramona Lou Henke (nee McCarty) passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at the age of 86. A woman who loved being a mother, she was surrounded by her children in her final moments.
Ramona (Mona) was born to life in Chicago, Illinois, on September 8, 1935, to father Arthur McCarty and mother Helena (née Schilling). An only child, Mona was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 60 years, Bruno A. Henke Jr. Mona is survived by her seven children, Thomas Henke (Pam), Therese Henke, Christine Henke Mueller (James), Mark Henke (Meg), Michael Henke, Catherine Scholz (Eric), Juliette Pagliaro (Philip); eleven grandchildren, Matthew Henke (Heidi), Andrew Henke, Paul Henke, Elissa Mueller, Ian Mueller, Sean Henke, Devin Henke, Kyra Henke, Benjamin Scholz, Samuel Scholz, Gianna Pagliaro; and three great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Peter, and Gabriel Henke.
Ramona graduated from Marquette University (June 1957), where she majored in Speech. It was while at Marquette that she met Bruno, the love of her life, whom she married in June 1960.
Before marrying Bruno, Mona worked at WISN-TV as an assistant sales service manager. Once married, Mona selflessly devoted herself to motherhood, raising the large, loving family of which she had always dreamed. She steadfastly supported Bruno in his professional ambitions, including when he started his business, Construction Supply & Erection (CSE), while she was pregnant with their seventh child. Mona also volunteered as the school librarian at St. Hubert’s for many years, and ran the school’s Christmas “Santa Shop” each year for the children to purchase gifts for their family and friends.
Mona and Bruno were longtime members of St. Hubert's and St. Gabriel's Catholic Parish in Hubertus and a 20-year winter member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in San Antonio, Texas. A woman of devout faith, serving God and the Church, Mona and Bruno were generous supporters of these parishes and of the Catholic Church. Mona was active in the school and church community, and was a prominent presence at Mass and school functions. She loved being surrounded by family and friends, and took a genuine interest in everyone’s lives and well-being.
Mona and Bruno loved to travel, initially taking their large family on motorhome tours of the United States and later on trips to Germany, Canada, and the Caribbean. After Bruno retired in 2003, they enjoyed cruises to foreign locations, always bringing back wonderful tales and gifts. In 2014, they accompanied the Pilgrimage to Rome with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee where they had an audience with Pope Francis and Mona received his special blessing.
Mona will be remembered as a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a strong, intelligent, sharp-witted woman with tremendous integrity and generosity beyond words. Mona’s family was her highest priority and greatest joy, and her death has left another gaping hole in their lives.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 25 from 10AM until time of Mass of Christian Burial at Noon at St. Gabriel Parish; 1200 St. Gabriel Way, Hubertus, Wisconsin. Masks are strongly recommended. Burial will follow at St. Hubert's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mona’s name to St. Gabriel Parish and School.
"Promise me you'll never forget me, because if I thought you would, I'd never leave.”
(Winnie the Pooh - A.A. Milne)
