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Paul Fredrick “Fred” Henke

| February 28, 2017 10:15 AM

Paul Fredrick “Fred” Henke, M.D. passed away at home unexpectedly on Feb. 15, 2017, from complications of pneumonia in the arms of his beloved “Ms. Jinger.”

Fred was born in Alva, Okla., on Nov. 14, 1948, to Clete Edward and Virginia Ray Henke. His only sibling, a sister, Cleta Rae, died in infancy eight years prior to his birth. He was raised as an adored only child with a close, respectful bond that remained throughout his parents’ lifetime.

In 1954, the family moved to Okmulgee, Okla., where Clete was a high school social studies teacher and football coach and Virginia was Executive Secretary at East Central Electric Cooperative,

After graduation in 1967, Fred earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Oklahoma State University in 1971 and was then accepted to Medical School at the University of Oklahoma (thus creating a perpetual annual “Bedlam” inner conflict.) During this time, he married Barbara Bannon and together they had a son, Clete Michael Henke. He graduated in 1974 with a Medical Degree in Family Practice. Dr. Henke completed his residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. Fred and Barbara divorced and he subsequently married Michelle Smith and adopted her two children, a daughter named Stefane Henke and a son named Swan Henke. This union also resulted in the birth of their cherished daughter, Sarah Henke Lyda.

Following residency, he spent two years in the Indian Health Service, first on the Navajo Reservation at Fort Defiance, Ariz. and subsequently at the Poplar Indian Health Clinic in Poplar, Mont., where he was first introduced to the state he would come to love. Following completion of his obligation to the IHS, he joined practice with Dr. Greg Rice in Libby, Mont. where he discovered he had a particular interest in Obstetrics and Gynecology. This led him to join the Army to obtain this specialized licensure for which he trained at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Wash. Following honorable discharge as Major Henke, he returned to Libby in 1985 and opened a private OB-GYN practice. Dr. Henke was a Diplomate, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Fellow, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Fellow, American College of Surgeons; Fellow, American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology.

During his time in Libby, he divorced a second time and met the proverbial “love of his life,” partner, best friend, fishing-camping-wood gathering cohort and ardent admirer, Virginia “Jinger” Pruett, whom he always referred to as either “my bride” or Ms. Jinger. They were married in a private ceremony at the home of his parents at the Crazy H Ranch in Libby, Mont., June 08, 1990. His mother gave the couple her mother’s golden wedding band, a treasured gift now over 106 years old. Fred bravely expanded his family by adding Jinger’s two sons, Jake and Mack, whom he would adopt when they were 18 and 16, respectively, at their specific request for Christmas. Being practical and wise, Dr. and Mrs. Henke agreed this wonderful blended family was numerous enough. Their compatibility and devotion to each other was readily apparent to, and admired by, all who knew them.

As the economy waned in northwest Montana, Fred and Jinger opted to move to Ponca City, Oklahoma, where he had the good fortune to join forces with Dr. Paul Ley and Dr. Henke’s good friend, Dr. Ron Kreger. Drs. Kreger, Ley, and Henke practiced together as a group for several years before deciding to enjoy solo practices. In 2002, in an ever-hopeful attempt to move back to Montana, Dr. Henke chose to relocate to Butte, Mont.. After several years, he very much wanted to retire to the property and home he and Jinger had purchased on Swamp Creek in Trego, Mont. However, he would later say he failed at retirement and missed the medical field too much, thereby beginning his long association as Medical Director of Planned Parenthood of Montana.

Fred was instrumental in helping start and develop the recycling center in Eureka.

Dr. Henke always maintained a great affection and admiration for his nurses and staff over the years; Patti Stonehocker, Tammy Lawson, Camille Sneath, Janie Furnas, Jacque Hart, Mindy Meyer, Patty Caughlin Pat Hanon, Becky Howell, and Dawn Dockstader, to name just a few. He was a passionate and committed champion not only of affordable and safe healthcare for women, but also believed basic coverage should be made available for every person who needed medical care regardless of insurance status or their ability to pay.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, and spoiled Labradors, Beau and Dan. He is survived by wife Jinger at the family home known as Gynasty; sons Clete (Los Angeles), Jake and wife, Whitney (Kansas City, Kan.), Swan and Mack (Billings); daughter Sarah and husband, John, and daughter Stefane (also all of Billings); 14 grandchildren (one more on the way); the Pruett Sisters, whom he considered his siblings, not just sisters-in law; best friend, Bill Garnett; uncle Pete and wife, Ruby (Stillwater) and his faithful Labrador companion, Hud. He also leaves behind the 3,000 babies he delivered over the years, colleagues, many loyal patients and his friends and family at Planned Parenthood. Dr. Henke was known for his intelligence, unbelievably sharp wit, humility, down-to-earth attitude, handyman and woodworking skills as well as a willingness to help others. His loss is immeasurable.

At his specific request, there will be no public service. In lieu of flowers, if you so choose, please honor his beliefs with a donation to Planned Parenthood of Montana or to a local Domestic Violence Shelter.