Richard Henke, 85, of Fargo, N.D. passed away peacefully Saturday, September 17, 2022, at his home with his longtime companion and love, Linda Steen, at his side. He was born March 16, 1937, the son of Edward and Martha Henke. The family told stories of quite an eventful birth where he was born in the family car under the Hi-Line Bridge in Valley City, ND. He grew up and went to school in Valley City.
Richard married Virginia Peterson and had two sons, Richard Junior and Robert.
Richard was a bit of a renaissance man during his lifetime. He held many different, interesting jobs and hobbies including: building his own race cars and being a NASCAR fan, owning a gas station and operating it with his brothers, working for Boeing as a mechanic and parts man, and working at McNeilus Steel making steel to ship to Canada.
He was a Mr. Fix-It and enjoyed helping people and fixing things. He was very talented at automotive repair and fixing just about anything. He also loved the hunt for a bargain. Going to the Dollar Store and flea markets in Texas and California were some of his favorite hobbies. He had his own flea market booth where he sold items as well, with a special interest of collecting valuable knives and jewelry and selling them there. He and Linda enjoyed spending time together at the flea markets in Texas and California where they visited his son, Richard Junior Henke, and his family in CA and Linda‘s daughter, Terry Owens, and her family in TX. They also enjoyed visiting Linda’s sons, Bill and Chris Steen, and their families in Omaha, NE and Detroit Lakes, MN. He was also happy to have spent time with his granddaughter, Emily and son, Robert in Fargo, ND during these last couple of years.
Richard was a very humble, kind, and friendly man who didn’t know a stranger. He could enter a room full of strangers, introduce himself and joke around with everyone. Richard was known as the lovable “Pa Pa Richard” to Linda’s family. His friendly smile and loving kindness will truly be missed.
He is survived by his children, Richard Junior (Martha) Henke and Robert Henke; longtime companion, Linda Steen; stepchildren, Terry Owens, Chris Steen, Bill Steen; siblings: Jeanette Larson, Paul Henke; nephews, Kevin Carpenter and Randy Earles (nephew by marriage plus 2 children); grandchildren, Briawna, Bailey, Bradley, Brooke, Emily, Jace, Sierra, Eden, Amelia, Isabel, and Emma.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 4 brothers, Daniel, Clayton, David, Emanuel (Henke); niece, Debra Marie Earles; and a nephews, Jeffrey Allen Carpenter and Kelly Lee Carpenter.
Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, October 7, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home chapel (515 Central Ave. N. Valley City, N.D.). The service will be live streamed and available to view along with the obituary on his tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com. You may also sign the online guestbook there.