Charles H Henke

Charles Harlan Henke, 49, of Kansas City, MO, previously of Vermillion, SD passed away unexpectedly on October 28, 2022, at Saint Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit, MO. A Memorial Service will be held at Newton Hills on May 1, 2023. at 12 p.m.

Charles was born in Vermillion, SD to Harlan and Cynthia (Kahler) Henke on May 25, 1973. He attended Vermillion High School and later went to college at the University of Iowa for one year. Charles married Robin Stahlecker on October 31, 1994, into this marriage were Four children, Casey, Kai, Layfe, and Trey.

He worked at pech optical in Sioux City until moving to Kansas City in 2016, where he worked as a machine operator at Mars Petcare.

Charles was always a very articulate and intelligent man. In high school he was a member of the Vermillion Math Club, Science Club, and participated in many quiz bowls (of which he hated). Later in life Charles found a passion in writing fictional short stories and novels such as the published short story “The Vessel”. He was very skilled in writing sci-fi related stories. He had an interest in the Heathen religion and or Lokian religion. As for his free time he enjoyed listening to most genres of music such as the group Nightwish and Warrior Soul to name a few. Charles also spent a lot of time playing Role Playing Games (RPG’s) in his spare time such as Cyberpunk 2020 and D&D. 

Grateful for having shared his life are his Children Casey (Johanna) Henke and their children Lilleigh Xeraya, Minerva, and Frances of Sheldon, IA; Kai Henke, of Sheldon, IA; Layfe Henke, of Akron, IA; and Trey Henke, of Akron IA; Father, Harlan Henke, of Vermillion, SD; his Wife Pamela Damico and her children Rose and James, of Kansas City, MO; Two siblings, Christine Henke and her 2 children Patricia and Shannon Carlough, of Centerville, SD; and David Henke and Mikal Boughton, of Vermillion, SD.

Charles was preceded in death by his mother Cynthia, and grandparents Frieda Kahler, Charles Henke, and Ida Henke.