Ellen "Bockhorn" Henske

Ellen Henske, 89, of the New Wehdem community passed away Saturday, August 1, 2020.

Ellen Bockhorn Henske was born March 11, 1931, in Washington County, Texas to parents Louis Bernhard and Ottilie Anna Klaerner Bockhorn. She was baptized May 31, 1931 and confirmed into the Christian faith January 28, 1945 at St. James Lutheran Church of New Wehdem. She grew up in Washington County where she attended Pleasant Hill School and graduated from Brenham High School. After graduation, she lived in Austin and worked at Scarborough’s department store.

On April 23, 1949 Ellen married Lee Charles Henske. They made their home in the New Wehdem community as dairy farmers for nearly forty years. Ellen was an active member of the St. James Women’s Choir, a Sunday school teacher, and a member of the Ruth and Martha Bible study circles. She was employed at the Brenham State School where she was loved by her clients, often inviting a client to her home when they had no place to go for the holidays.

Ellen was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She loved baking and decorating cakes, gardening, sewing, family celebrations, and particularly picnics with her children and grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lee; brothers Bernhard, Roy and Herbert Bockhorn; sisters, Louise Bowden Winkelmann, Agnes Griesenbeck, and Elaine Kokemor.

She is survived by her son, Donald Ray Henske and wife, Jenny; daughter, Bonnie Lee Henske Pieper and husband, Bobby; daughter, Phyllis Ann Henske Weiss and husband, Gary. Grandchildren Brandi Fishbeck and husband, Chad; Jodie McReynolds and husband, A.J.; Megan Freitag and husband, Kyle; Audrey Zaffirini and husband, Carlos; Lauren Sinclair and husband, Steven; Erich Weiss and wife, Tiffany. Great grandchildren Kerby, Callie, Tyler, Eli, Vivienne, Georgia, Jacie, Karlie, Lillie, Asher, and George.

Pallbearers are Erich Weiss, Kyle Freitag, Carlos Zaffirini, Steven Sinclair, A.J. McReynolds, and Chad Fishbeck.

Honorary pallbearers are Megan Freitag, Audrey Zaffirini, Brandi Fishbeck, Jodie McReynolds, Lauren Sinclair, Tiffany Weiss, Robert Bockhorn, Gary Griesenbeck, Terry Griesenbeck, Ross Perry, Brett Perry, Betty Bowden and Jackie Bowden.

Viewing will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 from Noon to 7:00 pm at Brenham Memorial Chapel. The funeral service will be held on August 5, 2020 at 6:30 pm outside of the St. James Lutheran Church of New Wehdem with the interment following in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to: St. James Lutheran Church of New Wehdem or Allumine Hospice 4030 Hwy 65 Suite 101, College Station, TX 77846.
Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979-836-3611 Memories may be shared at www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com.