Benita Wilhemina Else Harriet Henke (née Baetcke)
August 23, 1930 - May 30, 2023
It is with great sadness that the family of Benita Henke announces her peaceful passing on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at LHSC – University Hospital, in her 93rd year.
The most important thing to Benita was her family. She was a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Edward Henke. She adored her only son, Dieter Henke, and daughter-in-law Heather Henke. Benita was known endearingly as “Oma” to her grandchildren, Michelle (Antoine) Dabrowski, and Marcus Henke, and great-grandson Florian Dabrowski.
Born and raised in Gross-Koethel, youngest child of Arno and Elsbeth (Hoffmeister) Baetcke, Benita is predeceased by her older siblings, Ursula and Adelbert. Benita did florist training in Germany before immigrating to Canada in 1953 and always found joy in the beauty of flowers, shrubs and plants. Ever since she was a young girl, Benita loved animals. She remembered fondly her family’s farm, horses and ponies, and later in life, found fun and companionship from her beloved German Shepherds, Prinz, Tex and Rex.
Benita and Ed hold many fond memories of their long and adventurous life together. Countless times, they travelled to Hawaii, which became like a second home and oasis. Benita and Ed co-founded the Frohsinn Dancers, a German cultural dance group. For over 25 years, the dance group performed at various festivals and travelled to destinations such as California, Australia, and Mexico. Benita tirelessly cared for the costumes through her perfected craft of designing, sewing, washing and mending. Benita was an avid baker and provided many delicious tortes and cakes for the London German Canadian Club fundraiser events.
Benita will be remembered as a great conversationalist who always took an interest in her friends’ and family’s lives and activities. Her steady presence and kind demeanour will be forever missed.
Thank you to the ICU and Medicine teams at LHSC, University Hospital, for Benita’s wonderful care. The family would welcome donations in her honour to the London Health Science Foundation or the Humane Society London & Middlesex.
Leave a tribute for Benita Wilhemina Else Harriet Henke (née Baetcke)
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Please accept my sympathy and condolences to Ed and your family. Benita will be sadly missed. I promised her to visit with Buddy (the dog) this summer. May Benita now rest in peace! All our love, Sheryl and Buddy (the dog)!
Benita touched many during her life. I fondly remember her from my days with the Frohsinn Dancers. I'm leaving a pic here, from the dancers 25th anniversary party. She and Eddie shaped the lives of so many of us girls. We are forever grateful for that. RIP Benita.
Dear Benita! Although we lost contact over the years, I fondly remember the days of belonging to the Frohsinn Dancers since my young age of 16. The effort, time and patience you gave us, was to be commended. I, for one, never lost sight of your caring and cheerful approach! I am so grateful that I was able to spend my teen years dancing with you. RIP wonderful lady. My sympathies to Eddie and Dieter. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet you, Dieter, but with a mom like Benita, I am sure you have made her proud.
Benita was such a lovely person, always caring for all of us girls in the dance group, especially when we travelled. Her tireless work mending costumes and organizing so many details did not go unnoticed. Being a part of both hers and Eddie’s group had a profound impact on us all. I’m so delighted that I got to visit with her on her birthday. Benita will be fondly remembered and missed greatly. Much love to Eddie, family and friends. Rest in peace kind soul. ❤️
I am so sorry to hear of Ben ita's passing. She was such an inspiration to a shy girl like me who performed with the Frohsin dancers for five years and got to go to California! I remember all those practices over and over until we got it perfect! She is even responsible for me meeting my German husband in 1976 when a German folkdance group was touring London and performing at the German club. She asked us to billet one or two and I said I would take two! 41 years later I am still married to Reinhold. I hope there is a spot in heaven for such a lovely woman!
My thoughts and prayers go out to Eddy , Dieter and families.
Deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one.
Benita was my lovely grocery shopping greeter on a Saturday morning at the Cherryhill Metro store. She had a smile and a hello regardless of which aisle we met on. She would ask me if there were any good bargains and if she agreed Benita would twirl her walker and be off! My thoughts and prayers to everyone in her family. She will be missed.
I was saddened to hear of Benita’s passing. I have great memories of Benita and Eddy when I stayed with them during my university years as well as some fun times at the German Club. This is also where I met my son’ s father. Benita always had special Christmas treats for us at Christmas. I will miss our periodic chats when I would come to London. Sending hugs and love to Eddy , Dieter and family
We offer our sympathy to Onkel Eddy and to Dieter and family on the passing of Tante Benita. The Wodrich family has many happy memories of club and family events over the years. Benita had such a warm smile. Brenda recalls all the fun had as a member of the Tanz Gruppe when she was a young girl. Conrad especially offers his condolences to his Godfather Onkel Eddie. We wish Benita peace after a life well lived.
Our condolences to the family. Benita and Ed were deeply involved in the German Club and profoundly was part of shaping the German Club in to what we inherited today. As one of the active members today we are tanksful for all that worked so hard to make the German club flourish since the last 90 years. Benita is certainly one of them and will be remembered well forever at the German Club.
This woman was very welcoming to me when I first came to Canada. And very wonderful and special to my daughter's. She always wanted to know about my dogs and cats. She will be very missed by my family as we thought of her as a grandmother.
Words alone can't express the love and joy Benita has shown me over the years. So so many fond memories with her ever since I was a little girl dance group and returning again as a teen and adult. You will forever be in my heart. Eddie you are in my thoughts and prayers too.
I joined the Dance Group when I was 10. Bonita was like a mother to me. Especially when we traveled. I loved her very much and she will be dearly missed by so many. All my love to Eddie and family. ❤️
What an awesome tribute Dieter!
You have forever left an impact on me and my pets lives. I will greatly miss visiting you and listening to all your stories.
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Sincere sympathies to Benita's family. I worked at Hill's Flowers with her. Such a sweet lady.
~ Gail Fairbairn/Firby