Henry "Hank" deKoning

Henry “Hank” de Koning, 100, of Burchard, Nebraska passed away in his home on November. 28,2021. He was born on October 23, 1921 to Dick and Stella (Loverink) de Koning  near Gillette, Wyoming. When Hank was 15 months old his family moved to a farm south of Pawnee City,  Nebraska.  Hank attended Pleasant Hill Country School through the 8th grade.

On June 2, 1946 Hank married Ellen Sejkora at the Presbyterian Church in Summerfield, KS. They were blessed to celebrate 69 years of marriage. They raised their family and farmed south of Burchard until 1992 when they moved into Burchard to retire.  Hank and Ellen attended the Faith Baptist Church in Pawnee City. 

Hank had many interests - auctions, bee keeping, gardening, reading and wood working. He made hundreds of little wooden crosses and gave them to nurses, doctors, clerks, friends, relatives and kids. He always carried a few in his pocket.

He was very proud of his Dutch heritage.  He loved the courage, honesty, wisdom and brevity of Abraham Lincoln and enjoyed country music.  He loved his family and enjoyed watching his grandkids and great-grandkids grow and learn. Young children were drawn to him and he prayed every day “for all the little children”.

Hank was preceded in death by his wife Ellen, parents Dick and Stella de Koning, his sisters, Dorothy Juhl (Bill), Emma Robertson (Floyd), Ann Buman (Andy) and Minnie Hickenbottom (Phil), brothers, Neal (Marge), John (Jennie) and Rich, daughter Coleen Tanner and grandson Aaron Tanner. 

Hank is survived by sister-in-law Joni de Koning, Port Clinton, Ohio, children Gary of Anchorage, AK,  Allen (Janice) of Dawson, Nancy (Richard) Burgert of Burchard, Kathy (Don) Fritch of Fairbury, Terry (Linda) of Burchard, grandchildren Casey (Brian) Justus, Jesse (Jen)Tanner, Courtney (Josh) Wall, Jessie (Bob) Everett,  Porter de Koning, Britt de Koning, Eve (Ryan) Seeba, Megan (Matt) Holes, Garrett de Koning, Jared Fritch, Bailey (Adam) Brill, Ethan de Koning and fiancé Ashleigh Kapke, great-grandchildren Cooper, Quincy and Simon Justus, Taylee and Cruz Tanner, Madilyn and Brody Wall, Tucker, Oliver and Miles Everett, Alivia and Aiden Seeba, Luka Brill, Logan Holes, and Mason "Henry", Jaxon and Gracelyn de Koning, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Toiling- Rejoicing- Sorrowing

Onwards through life he goes

Each morning sees some task begin

Each evening see it close;

Something attempted, something done. 

Has earned a night's repose. 

Thanks, thanks to thee my worthy friend, 

For the lessons thou hast taught

Thus at the flaming forge of life

Our fortunes must be wrought;

Thus on its sounding anvil shaped

Each burning deed and thought

   Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 

Services 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 3, 2021 at the Faith Baptist Church, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Officiating Pastor Chris Rohrbaugh and Pastor Connor Barr. Visitation on Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m. at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska. Interment at the Burchard Cemetery, Burchard, Nebraska. Service will be lived-streamed on Wherry Mortuary/Wherry Monument Facebook page and the link is also available on the bottom of Hank's webpage.   Memorials to family choice. Online condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com.

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