Laura Henrietta Killeen

Henrietta passed on October 23, 2019 at age 100.  She was born in Clementsville, ND to Emil and Marie Mahlke.  Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Wimbledon, ND and began farming wheat and flax.  Hen was the oldest of 9 children and helped her mother with the care of her younger siblings.   At 19, she moved to Jamestown, ND, and secured work in a laundry.   There she made many friends and particularly enjoyed outings with the youth group of her Lutheran church.  As the years passed, Hen was ripe for a new adventure and in 1948 she moved to Seattle.  She met her future husband, Ken, in 1949 through mutual friends; they married in 1950.    Together they raised four children; Jerry, Patty, Chuck and Lori.   Hen was an extraordinary mother.  She was known for her delicious homemade bread, sweet rolls, cookies, cakes and pies; all made from scratch.   Volunteerism was always important in her life.  She went door to door collecting for the March of Dimes, the Cancer Foundation and the Heart Association.  She joined Hope Lutheran Church upon her arrival in Seattle.  As an active church member she participated in Women of Hope, the chancel guild, senior club, and the pinochle club.   In the late ‘70s, her bible study group chose to make quilts for the needy as their mission.   She continued the quilting bee, hosting it at her home, until days before her death.   Throughout her life, her faith was paramount and was truly her comfort when dealing with the loss of her husband, Ken, and son, Chuck as well as the passing of all of her younger siblings.  Although we mourn the loss of our beloved mom, aunt and friend, let’s rejoice in the knowledge that she is now with the loved ones she lost and with her Lord.

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