Henriette E. Kerkemeyer

Henriette is remembered for her hard work.  She was born in Westphalia, Germany and grew up on a farm with 8 brothers and sisters.  Her teen age years were spent during the height of World War II.  At age 13 she moved to Dusseldorf to work as a live-in maid.

 In 1957 she came to Omaha, NE where she met and married Franz Kerkemeyer, or 

known to others as Frank the Tailor.  Both were following the American dream.  They came with nothing and worked their way into middle class.  

Henriette worked from home from many years as a Seamstress for her husband’s tailor shop.  This also allowed her also to be a stay at home mother for her 3 children Klaus, Frank and Ralph.  She was involved in their school and after school activities.  She was known for her yellow station wagon that droved half the soccer team to their practices and games.  

At later times she cleaned homes on the side for extra spending money.  She enjoyed hosting at her home. She was known for her German cooking which included beef Rouladen, potato dumplings, red cabbage and Bienenstich cake.  She is remembered for being generous as she gave away numerous hand crocheted afghans and socks.  She enjoyed her conversations with family and friends who visited.  Her grandchildren were also a source of joy and inspiration.  Her grandsons traveled from far away to spend several weeks with her in the summer.  Her granddaughters were closer by so she could see regularly but they also had fun in their sleepovers at Oma’s house.  

Henriette was a member of the German America Association and an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran church since 1965

She is survived by sons Frank; Ralph (and Suzanne) Kerkemeyer By Daughter-in-law Katherine Kerkemeyer grandchildren Ian, Kyle, Kameron, Kailyn and Claudia great grandchildren Colton, Emmy, Sebastian, and Kinleigh

She was preceded in death by husband, Franz Kerkemeyer By son, J. Klaus Kerkemeyer