Henry Lenke Jr.

Henry settled in Glenwood, where his sister and her husband had moved and began a career in the logging industry (falling lumber) with J. Neils Co.

He met his future wife Peggy Ann on a blind date in The Dalles, Ore., and when she followed her mother to Yuba City, Calif., Henry knew what he had to do and drove straight through from Glenwood to Yuba, 564 miles in his new 1953 Chevy, to ask Peggy’s hand in marriage. They got married Oct. 9, 1953, in Reno, Nev., then promptly settled in at Camp Draper (Glenwood) to begin their life together. During the 11 years there, they had a daughter and two sons.

In 1964, the family moved to Klickitat where he continued to work for the woods department as a log scaler.

He was on a bowling league, coached Little League and went to every game he could when his sons and grandkids played basketball and kept up on college and pro sports on TV.

He retired after 40 years and got to spend some time traveling with Peggy, golfing with a group of friends including Jerry Neils, doing crossword puzzles and spending time with family and friends.

In later years, he preferred staying home and walking his beloved dogs and going to church on Sundays at the Grace Lutheran in Klickitat, being a member there since 1964. He especially enjoyed the after-church lunches, visiting with his church family who became his dear friends. From birth, Henry was brought up in deep faith with the Lord.

It was devastating when he lost the love of his life, Peggy Ann, on Nov. 4, 2015, after celebrating 62 years of marriage.

Henry was a humble man of honor and lived his life accordingly along with his loving wife by his side. Oh yes, he could also be stubborn, a “Lenke” thing we’d say.

Henry is survived by his three kids Karen Miller, Mike and Tim Lenke, wonderful grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, the youngest just a month old. He is also survived by his brother-in-law James Clemmer Sr., nephew Jimmie (Roxie) Clemmer all of Glenwood, sister-in-law (Peg’s Sister) Dawn Taylor of Dallas, Ore., and her 2 kids.

He lost his sister Jeanette Clemmer a couple of weeks before he passed. Also preceding him, nephew Terry Clemmer, niece Cathy Clemmer, his son in law Chuck Miller and many loved friends over the years.

A family who will always love and miss mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, will gather at a later date for the internment of both Henry and Peggy at Mt. Adams Cemetery in Glenwood.

“Semper Fi”