Henry was born on January 21, 1928, in Brighton, Colorado to John and Alice “Anna” (Kampbell) Henkel. The family moved to the Mitchell area in 1932 and Scottsbluff in 1934. Henry attended Lake Alice and Scottsbluff Schools. He was enlisted into the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged due to medical reasons.
On November 9, 1957, Henry was united in marriage to Wanda Colleen Bourelle at Zion Evangelical Church in Scottsbluff by Pastor K. M. Wilhelm. They farmed in Gering for many years along with raising cattle with red angus being the favorite breed. They also raised horses for 50 years and at the end Arabian horses. Henry and Bernard Doughty took ownership of the business they had been with for years. After Bernard’s death Henry became soul owner of D and H Electronics. During those years, Henry and Wanda traveled to many places in this world.
Henry loved to travel and fish, catching many varieties of fish throughout the world. He especially loved to fly. He was honored to be asked by then Governor Kay Orr to be her personal pilot. Henry turned down the offer to continue to work on the farm. He was a member of the Zion Evangelical Church and served on the church board, a member of the Elk’s Lodge, and irrigation ditch boards.
Henry is survived by his wife of 64 years Wanda of Scottsbluff; sisters Esther Martin of Gering, and Kathryn Groskopf of Scottsbluff; nieces and nephews William (Diane) Groskopf of Littleton, CO, Richard (Cindy) Groskopf of Gering, Roger (Vicki) Wheeler of Scottsbluff, Larry Wheeler of Gering, Karen Spence of Scottsbluff, Beverly Greenwalt of Gering, and Judith Sprier of Mitchell; along with many great-nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Linda Wheeler Dietz; brother Raymond Henkel; brother-in-law William Groskopf, Victor Martin and George Wheeler; and nephew Robert Spence.