Sad News of Passing of PDG Marcella Henke – Funeral Jan. 23rd

Marcella was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and served on its Board of Directors.  She also served as Lector, Eucharistic Minister and Rosary Leader.  She served as President of the Confraternity of Christian Mother, the K.J.Z.T. and Regent for three terms and District Deputy of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and Counselor and Leader of the Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas.  Marcella joined the Associates of Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament and received her Incarnate Word Associate Pin on the day of Consecration, September 8, 2013.  In her community of Hallettsville, she was honored by the Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture as Citizen of the Year.

For over 50 years, Marcella was a health care administrator/CEO and served as president of numerous health care associations.  Most notably she was appointed by four Texas governors to serve on the Texas Department of Health Care Licensing Council for 14 years and served as a Delegation Leader to Washington, DC and met with members of Congress regarding health care concerns for Texans and Americans.  She served as a consultant for hospitals who were struggling to stay open.  She was also a life member of several hospital auxiliaries.

Marcella was a charter member and a Lion since 1990.  She served as a Regional Chairperson and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Texas Eye Bank in her first year of Lionism.  She served as a 100% President of the Hallettsville Lions Club and the Edna Lions Club.  She had many roles in District 2-S4 and served as a 100% District Governor for the District (first female) in 2000-2001.  During the school for incoming District Governors in Hawaii, Marcella was selected by the faculty to represent “the Americas” at the closing session and to speak about Lionism.  She served as Presidents of the Texas Lions Foundation (first female) and President of the Past District Governors Association of the State of Texas and President (first female) for the Lions Eye Bank of Texas.  She served as State Chaplain in 2000-2001.  She was voted in to the District 2-S4 Ring of Honor in 2015.  She served as a guiding Lion for several new clubs including Shiner Lions Club, Moulton’s Lions Club and Falls City Lions Club.

Marcella is survived by; her son Henry Joe (Joey) Henke III & wife Debra, sister Dianne Mertz & husband Robert, sister-in-law Judy Vana, and two grandchildren, Catherine Victoria Henke & Henry Joseph Henke IV.

Marcella was preceded in death by; her husband Henry Joe Henke Jr, parents Charles & Mary Hajek Vana, sister Dorothy Jasek, and brother Charles Vana Jr.

Funeral Mass Service: 11 am, Monday, January 23, 2023, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville; with
Visitation starting at 9:30 am, and
Rosary starting at 10:30 am.
Officiant:  Msgr. James “Jim” Henke.
Memorials (in lieu of flowers):  Texas Lions Camp (P.O. Box 290247, Kerrville, TX 78029) or donor’s choice.
Entombment:  Sacred Heart Catholic Mausoleum.