Murlaine Hattie Henkel

Murlaine Hattie (Miller) Henkel was born July 30, 1929 to Nels and Hattie (Swan) Miller in Tracy, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at Sillerud Lutheran Church, rural Balaton, Minnesota. She grew up in Balaton and graduated from Balaton High School. In 1947 she attended Johnsons Beauty Academy in Mankato, Minnesota. She started working in Tracy in 1948, but that year she and her sister moved the beauty shop to Balaton, calling it Jan Lane Beauty Shop. On March 11, 1950 Murlaine married Johnny Henkel at Sillerud Lutheran Church. Their union was blessed with three children and 29 years of life together. The couple made their home and raised their family in Balaton. She worked at Somermeyer Grocery Store, later called Danielowski Grocery Store, until 1972 when she became head cook at Balaton School. Among other jobs, she also cleaned for the Balaton Bank for 30 years. In 1979 John died and Murlaine continued to live in Balaton, retiring from the school in 2006 after 33 years of service. Following a sudden decline in health, Murlaine entered the care of Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls on November 19, 2015. She died there on Friday, November 20, 2015 at the age of 86.

Murlaine was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton. She loved playing cards, slots, pinochle, and bunco. She enjoyed camping, traveling, and quilting, and was a huge Minnesota Twins and rodeo fan. As a great cook, she will always be remembered for the best potato salad. She especially enjoyed time spent with her family.

Murlaine is lovingly remembered by her children, Beth (Jerry) Terhark of Tyler, MN, Kevin (Mary Jo) Henkel of Balaton, MN, and Kent (Lori) Henkel of Balaton, MN; grandchildren, Jamie Terhark, Jennifer Buse, Jason Nelson, Heather Engelkes, David Henkel, John Henkel, Kylie Chandler, and Kole Henkel; 18 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents; and her siblings, Janice Goltz, Geraldine Erickson, and John Miller.

Blessed be her memory.