Carol Henke

Carol Henke (Detert), 95, of Wausau passed away into life eternal on June 16, 2025 at Wausau Manor Health Services under Aspirus Hospice care.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 - 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Carol was born on June 20, 1929, to Bernhardt and Bertha (Muschinske) Detert in the Town of Texas, Marathon County. After graduating from Wausau High School, she married Carl Henke in Bessemer, Michigan.She had a varied work life. Carol worked for many years at Wausau Employers' Insurance, until her retirement in 1971. She was employed as a bookkeeper in furniture stores and, as a young mom of three, served at an outdoor root beer stand.

She was a voracious fiction reader, having read, perhaps, thousands of books. She loved getting together with friends every week to play the fabulous game of Schafkopf. And she was mostly unbeatable. An enthusiastic gardener, her home in the Town of Maine was surrounded by colorful beds of irises, begonias, peonies and petunias. Never afraid to take on new responsibilities, she was active for many years in the American Legion Post #10 Women's Auxiliary, having served as its commander for several years in the early 2000's. An avid bowler, she also belonged to Day's Sr. bowling league. She loved her church and was an active member of First English Lutheran Church for more than 50 years, participating in many of its activities and forming many friends and memories.Surviving her are daughter, Connie (Stan) Tessmer, Lakeville, MN; brother Roger (Adrienne) Detert, Wausau, sister-in-law Sharon Detert, Merrill, son-in-law, Wayne Woller, Bergland, MI; grandchildren, Jacqueline (Rod) Adshead and Eric (Ida) Tessmer, Lakeville, MN, Charles Guthrie Jr., Oviedo, FL, and Michelle Koch, Texas. She also is survived by 17 great-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.Carol was preceded in death by Carl, her husband of 65 years, daughters, JoAnn Guthrie, and Nancy Woller, her parents, two brothers, Bernhardt Detert Jr. and Willard Detert, and granddaughter, Rebecca Croney.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 23, 2025 at the First English Lutheran Church, 402 N. 3rd Ave., Wausau. Pastor Mary Zupansic will officiate. Her burial will be in the Marathon City Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at the church on Monday.