Mary "Dee" Henke

June 17, 1930- February 2, 2021

On February 2nd, 2021 with her two beloved daughters holding her hands, Mary “Dee” Duncan Henke

left her worn out body and transitioned to her long awaited heavenly home.

Mary Dee was born at home in Wheaton, Missouri on June 17, 1930 where she lived surrounded by

loving siblings, grandparents and cousins until age 6 when they moved to Sebetha, Kansas. After just

one year, her family moved to Greeley, Colorado; an idyllic place to grow up amongst many friends,

especially her TNT group (Twelve Nifty Teens). In the last six weeks of her junior year, her family moved

to Denver, where she attended East High until her graduation in 1948. She then attended Denver

University and met a dashing young man named Donald Henke. They had a whirlwind courtship:

dating, pinning, engagement, and married just 11 months later. She has been the love of Don’s life for

70 amazing years, becoming Mom and Grammy to three children, 9 grandchildren, and 12+ great

grandchildren!

Family and faith has always been the focus of Dee’s life. In 1964, Don and Dee built a new house in an

emerging suburb of Arvada, Colorado. A church was also being built across the street and Arvada

Covenant became their second home until 1973 when the family moved to Shawnee Mission, Kansas.

While there, they helped plant Community Covenant Church. Three years later, Dee’s family moved to

Salina, Kansas where they were active members of Salina Covenant Church. In 1983, Dee was thrilled

to return to Arvada where they stepped right back into life at Arvada Covenant and built another

house, the perfect place to practice her loving hospitality to her growing family and new and old

friendships. One of Dee’s greatest gifts was the legacy of family and community she created.

Dee and Don spent many years traveling around the world with a few friends in the days before cell

phones and GPS. They had great adventures in many places in Europe, Egypt and Israel, Thailand. They

also took their family on adventurous vacations to the Caribbean, Mexico, and a Hawaiian cruise.

One of Dee’s greatest passions and accomplishments was starting the second Royal Family Kids Camp

(which is now international) for foster children. The camp’s goal is to give the children one the best

week of their lives. Don and Dee were the “grandparents” for several years. Many years later, Dee was

at a restaurant and the hostess recognized her and said, “You were my grandmother at Royal Family,”

giving her a big hug and telling her how much it changed her life!

Dee’s years back in Arvada were mostly filled with her growing family, having a grandchild almost every

year for several years. Their home was a beehive of activity as she played ping pong, croquet, and

bocce ball with her “grands.” She brought her keen competitiveness to every game! One of our

favorite memories was the high tea she prepared for her six granddaughters and special guest, Dani,

from Austria.

Don and Dee attended Arvada Covenant Church for 46 years in total. Dee was the head of the

decorating committee for their new location in West Arvada, bringing her love for decorating and

hospitality together.

In 2008, following a major heart surgery, Dee and Don moved to Covenant Living,

moving into the 6th floor corner apartment with a stunning view of the Colorado mountains, one of

Dee’s greatest joys each day. Dee became well known for her vivacious smile, interest in and love for

everyone she met at Covenant Living. Loving people and making them feel welcome was Dee’s passion

and she changed many lives, no matter what their age!

Dee is predeceased by her parents, Orba Duff and Hazel Duncan, and siblings Ella Jean Swanson and

Earl James Duncan. She is survived by her husband, Donald Henke, sister Carole Jo Wells, and children,

April Sustad, Todd Henke (spouse Nancy) and Tamara Buchan (spouse Bill), as well as the 9

grandchildren, spouses and great grandchildren: Lindsey and Drew (Eli, Andi and Oakley Osborne),

Scot and Kimberley (Vienna and Aria Sustad), Heather and Luke (Toby and Lydia Sales), Laura and

James (June and Henley Bruce), Bonnie and Joshua (Theo and Willow, Buchan Goldenberg),

Natalie and John (Remi and Crosby Sears), Molly Buchan, and Duke and Lena Henke.

A Celebration of Dee’s Life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 26, at Arvada Covenant Church, 5555 Ward Road. Arvada, CO. www.arvadacovenant.org .

Memorials are requested in lieu of flowers to Royal Family Kids’s Camp,

www.Arvada.RoyalFamilyKids.org .