Obit: Henning, Ronald John #2 (1937 - 2007)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Henning, Seelow, Thompson, Nielsen, Klueckmann, Zank, Slemec, Jacoby, Ayers, Bertz

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 9 May 2007

Henning, Ronald John (7 Sept. 1937 - 2 May 2007)

Ronald John Henning

NEILLSVILLE -- Ronald Henning, age 69, of Neillsville, went to be with his Lord on May 2, 2007, after a courageous nine-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He died at home with his family beside him under the loving care of the Black River Hospice.

Funeral Services for Ron will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 5, 2007, at the Zion Lutheran - Pine Valley Church in Neillsville, Wis. The Rev. Keith Lueneburg will officiate. Music will be provided by Virginia Karnitz, organist. Interment will be in the North Pine Valley Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., today at the Gesche Funeral and from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Casket Bearers are Robert Kalsow, Ray Wetzel, Ted Stiemke, Robert Tichy, Roger Helm and Donny Elmhorst.

Ronald John Henning was born on Sept. 7, 1937, in Eau Claire, the son of Herbert and Leona (Seelow) Henning. He attended Fairview Grade School and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1955. On Aug. 9, 1958, he was united in marriage to Marie Thompson at the United Methodist Church in Neillsville, Wis. Ron worked at Tidy Wood Products in Neillsville and Laabs Dairy in Willard. For 13-1/2 years he worked at the Neillsville Water and Sewer Department, and for 22-1/2 years, he farmed in the town of Weston.

After retiring from farming in January of 1996, he enjoyed camping, traveling throughout the United States and Canada, woodworking, and especially scroll sawing intricate wood ornaments and plaques. Above all, though, he enjoyed visiting and playing dominoes, cards, and games with friends and family.

Ron was a life-time member of Zion Lutheran - Pine Valley Church, serving in various positions on the church council. His strong faith in God allowed him to keep an upbeat attitude throughout his long journey with ALS. His membership in the Northwest Wisconsin ALS Support Group also provided him with much help, love and support. Ron was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law and friend.

He is survived by his wife, Marie; three children, Tim (Joyce) Henning of Fall Creek, Sheryl (David) Nielsen of Greenwood, and Sandy (Leon) Klueckmann of Neillsville; four grandchildren, Dan and Michelle Henning of Fall Creek, and Nick and Kelly Nielsen of Greenwood; one brother, Robert (Donna) Henning of Phoenix; two sisters, Ardis Zank and Mary Slemec of Neillsville, Wis. He is also survived by five sisters-in-law, Dorothy Jacoby and Carol Ayers of Neillsville, Ann Thompson of Marshfield, Mary Thompson of Eau Claire, and Diane Thompson of Rockford; two brothers-in-law, Glen Thompson and Lee Jacoby of Neillsville; one aunt and many friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents (1988) and five brothers-in-law, David Bertz, Chuck Thompson, Bob Slemec, Phillip Thompson and Norman Thompson.

Memorials may be directed to PALS, Inc. (NW WI ALS Support Group), Black River Hospice, or Zion Lutheran - Pine Valley.