Ursula Erika Henkel, 88, of Stevensville, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, surrounded by her loving daughters. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, May 12th, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 619 Market St., St. Joseph, with Rev. David Rutter officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Monday, May 11th at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Hanson Hospice Center or Trinity Lutheran Church. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Ursula was born September 20, 1937, in Johannisburg, East Prussia Germany to Karl and Anna (Mursa) Piontek. Her family immigrated from Germany in 1952. They eventually settled in St. Joseph, MI where she graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1955 and then met the love of her life, Bodo Henkel, who had also immigrated from Germany. They were married on July 25, 1959, at Trinity Lutheran Church in St Joseph and began their life together and lovingly raised their family – finding their greatest happiness in their children and grandchildren.
Ursula was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who brought beauty, warmth, and elegance to everything she did. She took great pride in her home and welcomed countless family and friends into gatherings filled with laughter, music, and good stories.
Her famous roast duck dinners were a holiday tradition, always accompanied by an abundance of desserts and her signature hospitality that ensured no one ever left hungry. Her legacy of welcoming others, and gracious entertaining lives on through her family, who continue to be inspired by the rich traditions and attention to detail she so naturally embodied.
She was a proud founding member of the St. Joe Kickers Sport Club where she spent many hours volunteering in various capacities and built lifelong friendships. She found great joy in celebrating her German heritage through her cooking and lively spirit as well as tending to her various gardens which brought her great joy, peace and relaxation. Known for her quick wit, charm, and natural elegance – Ursula had a gift for making everyone feel at ease. She appreciated beauty in all forms—from her refined sense of style and jewelry, love of music and dancing to traveling until her health issues made it too difficult.
She was very resilient, meeting life’s many health and personal challenges with dignity, grace, and quiet strength until the very end.
Ursula will be remembered for her sense of humor, deep faith, unwavering determination and spunk along with her infectious laugh. She had a lifelong love of angels, and her family finds comfort in imagining her now as one, watching over them with the same warmth and love she carried throughout her life.
Ursula is survived by her two daughters, Debra (Jeffrey) Kliss and Anissa (Steven) Hollerbach; her sister, Annemarie (John) Kubicek; her grandchildren- Alicia (Paul) Knapp, Joshua (Brittany) Akins, Sean Akins, and Avery DeSanctis(Joshua Garcia); her great-grandchildren – Beau and Quinn Knapp, Elyse and Lucas Akins, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was also blessed with many bonus grandchildren and great-grandchildren – Trever(Amber), Christopher (Perla), Austin, Courtney (Gabriel), Conner(Dean), Charissa, Trenton, Steven, Astrid and Alba – whom she loved and welcomed as part of her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bodo; her sons, Mark and Kirk Henkel; son-in-law, Dustin DeSanctis; parents, Karl and Anna Piontek; brothers Reinhold, Heinz, Willibald and Siefried Piontek and sister Christel Brink
Memorial Contributions
Memorial donations can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Joseph or, click below to make a donation to Hanson Hospice Center.
Service Details
Visitation
When
May 11th, 2026 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Where
Starks & Menchinger Chapel
Address
2650 Niles Rd.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Service
When
May 12th, 2026 10:30am
Where
Trinity Lutheran Church – St. Joseph
Address
Court & Market Sts.
St. Joseph , MI 49085
Interment
Where
Riverview Cemetery
Address
2925 Niles Road
St. Joseph , MI 49085