1922
Helen
2023
Helen C. Haenke
December 31, 1922 — October 26, 2023
Sedona
Helen Clark Haenke
12/31/1922 – 10/26/2023
Helen Clark Haenke passed away October 26, 2023 in Sedona. She was 100 years old. Born in
Tacoma, Washington on December 31, 1922. She spent her childhood there overlooking Puget
Sound. But then she moved to California to study art in college. This was during WWII. She
met a young Air Force officer, Martyn Churchill Haenke, on a blind date. They married in June
of 1942 and moved to Washington, DC for the duration of the war. When the war ended they
moved back to California, driving cross country with the back seat of the car equally divided for
baby Pam and their beloved dog.
Once in Los Angeles they built their house in the hills and canyon above Beverly Hills. Helen
spent an active life raising 2 children, plus having an active church and social life. The highlight
each year was a family trip to the tiny town of Sedona. They stayed at Mayhew’s Oak Creek
Lodge for fishing, hiking and relaxing as well as being some of the very first people to take a
Pink Jeep Tour in the ‘50’s. Later years saw Helen and Church living and working abroad – 4
years in Iran, 2 years each in Spain, Germany and Switzerland. This allowed the family to travel
to all parts of the world making lifelong friends everywhere.
Retirement brought them back to their first love – Sedona – where they built their house facing
the beautiful red rocks. Helen never tired of the view. She loved and found inspiration in them
with all her artistic endeavors. Helen’s whole life was deeply involved with All Saints Episcopal
Church in Beverly Hills, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Sedona along with other charity work
and the Sedona Art Barn activities.
Helen is preceded in death by her spouse, Martyn Churchill Haenke.
Helen is survived by her daughter Pam in Berkley and son Kirk and daughter-in-law Barb in
Seattle, 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grant children.
A private interment service was held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Memorial contributions
may be given to St. Andrew’s at 100 Arroyo Pinon Drive, Sedona, AZ 86336.
12/31/1922 – 10/26/2023
Helen Clark Haenke passed away October 26, 2023 in Sedona. She was 100 years old. Born in
Tacoma, Washington on December 31, 1922. She spent her childhood there overlooking Puget
Sound. But then she moved to California to study art in college. This was during WWII. She
met a young Air Force officer, Martyn Churchill Haenke, on a blind date. They married in June
of 1942 and moved to Washington, DC for the duration of the war. When the war ended they
moved back to California, driving cross country with the back seat of the car equally divided for
baby Pam and their beloved dog.
Once in Los Angeles they built their house in the hills and canyon above Beverly Hills. Helen
spent an active life raising 2 children, plus having an active church and social life. The highlight
each year was a family trip to the tiny town of Sedona. They stayed at Mayhew’s Oak Creek
Lodge for fishing, hiking and relaxing as well as being some of the very first people to take a
Pink Jeep Tour in the ‘50’s. Later years saw Helen and Church living and working abroad – 4
years in Iran, 2 years each in Spain, Germany and Switzerland. This allowed the family to travel
to all parts of the world making lifelong friends everywhere.
Retirement brought them back to their first love – Sedona – where they built their house facing
the beautiful red rocks. Helen never tired of the view. She loved and found inspiration in them
with all her artistic endeavors. Helen’s whole life was deeply involved with All Saints Episcopal
Church in Beverly Hills, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Sedona along with other charity work
and the Sedona Art Barn activities.
Helen is preceded in death by her spouse, Martyn Churchill Haenke.
Helen is survived by her daughter Pam in Berkley and son Kirk and daughter-in-law Barb in
Seattle, 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grant children.
A private interment service was held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Memorial contributions
may be given to St. Andrew’s at 100 Arroyo Pinon Drive, Sedona, AZ 86336.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen C. Haenke, please visit our flower store.
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