Frances Henke Memorial Scholarship

Frances Helgeson was born in 1893 in Iola. She was the youngest of nine children of Thor Helgeson, the noted Norwegian immigrant, author, and religious teacher. In 1915 she married Albert Henke of Amherst Junction, and together they operated the Henke dairy farm and raised three children.

Frances was widowed at the age of 44 but continued to co-manage the farm with her son Allen until age 55. In 1948 she moved to Stevens Point and became a home helper/housekeeper for a widower and his extended family. She retired from full-time employment at the age of 80 and moved to Nelsonville. She would reside in Nelsonville for the next ten years, passing away in 1983 at the age of 90.

When Frances lived in Stevens Point she would spend almost every weekend in Nelsonville in close fellowship with her children and nine grandchildren having a profound influence with the interest she showed in their lives. All nine grandchildren were born in the Tomorrow River School District and attended the two-room elementary school in Nelsonville. Eight of the nine grandchildren graduated from Amherst High School and all nine grandchildren attended college, with the youngest seven earning bachelor’s degrees.

After the Tomorrow River Scholarship Foundation was formed, it was an easy decision by her grandchildren to start a memorial endowed scholarship in her honor. All of her children, grandchildren and some great-grandchildren have been contributors to her endowed fund at the Foundation. Two grandchildren and one great-grandchild either are or have been Foundation board members. The Frances Henke Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a student who is going into a field designed to help children with special needs.