Mary Alice Henke

Mary Alice Henke, 88 yrs, of Englewood, Florida passed away February 8, 2025.Mary was born June 22, 1936, in Omaha, NE and spent her childhood years in Fremont, NE.In 1954 she married Ray F. Vance (later divorced). They had 2 children, Robert Ray Vance and Diana Ranae Vance.In 1960 she married James A. Kastrau. In 1963 they became co-editors/publishers of The Milford Times in Milford, NE. They published the weekly newspaper until Jim's death in 1969. During her years as co-editor/publisher she won several awards and recognitions including “The Two Thousand Women of Achievement”, “Who’s Who of the American Women” &Who’s Who in Finance & Industry. She also served on many Nebraska state, county, and community boards/organizations. She married Audrey C. Henke in 1976. They operated a truck & diesel repair shop (1980-1989) in Enders, NE before retiring to Arizona. They returned to Audrey’s hometown of Western, NE in 1996. Mary was active in the community and participated in several clubs and served on many boards.As a Village Board member, it was through her resoluteness that Western received their much needed water tower. She enjoyed researching family genealogy, quilting and attending St. John’s Lutheran Church of Christ. Mary moved to Michigan to be closer to her daughter’s family in 2006. She enjoyed activities at the senior center, quilting and spending time with family.Having enough of the cold winters, she, along with her daughter and son-in-law moved to Florida in 2020. Sadly, the last few years Mary suffered from Alzheimer’s.Mary is survived by 2 children Robert R. (Carol) Vance of Chesapeake, VA and Diana R Lewno (Jeff) of Englewood, Fl. and 3 step-children, Karen Melchert(Ricky) of Trenton, NE, Joyce Pennington of Hastings, NE, and Cheryl Chandler(Clark) of Lincoln, NE, as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Audrey C. Henke, step-son Gary Henke, brother W. Dean Morgan, sister Betty Stevens, granddaughter Ashley Nicole Lewno and step son-in-law Richard Pennington.Mary will be laid to rest in the Plainview Cemetery, Western, NEMemorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Organization

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