Obit: Henning, Jean A (1911 - 2007)

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

Surnames: Henning, Dawson, Gile, Hagen, Sullivan, Nowak, Boatman, Goodland, Hutchinson, Peterson

----Sources: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) September 5, 2007

Henning, Jean A. (March 4, 1911 - August 25, 2007)

Jean A. Henning, age 96, of Altoona died August 25, 2007, at Oakwood Villa in Altoona. She was born to Ray E. and Bessie J. (Dawson) Gile March 4, 1911, in Milwaukee. As a young child, Jean moved with her family to Merrillan.

She graduated from Merrillan High School in 1929 and attended Eau Claire State Teachers College.

Jean married Arthur L. Henning of Altoona September 6, 1932, in Woodstock, IL. They celebrated a second wedding ceremony at the Gile home in Merrillan, December 11, 1932. Jean and Art spent their entire married life in Altoona.

Jean was appointed postmaster in Altoona in 1940 and served until her retirement in 1969. She was very active in the National Association of Postmasters of the United States (NAPUS) and served as the Wisconsin state president of NAPUS in 1953. Jean and Art also owned and operated the Henning Insurance Agency for several years.

Jean was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eau Claire and sang in the church choir. She also sang in Sweet Adelines and was very active in the March of Dimes and Democratic Party politics. Jean had attended the presidential inaugurations of Presidents Truman and Kennedy.

Jean loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, especially at the cottage in Three Lakes. She enjoyed music and played the piano. Jean had been a member of Eastern Star for many years.

Survivors include her son, Ray (Joey) Henning; grandchildren, Mark (Vicki) Hagen, Laurie (Steve) Sullivan, Brian (Kelly) Henning, Chris (Jenee) Henning, Kyle (Janel) Henning, all of Altoona, and Amy (Jason) Nowak of New Berlin; great-grandchildren, Derek Hagen, Cortlyn Henning, Gage, Tristan and Alaina Henning, Riley Nowak, Codi Boatman, Nicole Goodland, Joshua Hutchinson and Brandon Peterson; and several nieces and nephews.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Bessie Gile; her husband, Arthur; her daughter, Betty Hagen; son-in-law, Gerald Hagen; her sister, Mary Lee; and her brothers, Rulef (Bob) Gile, Gibson Gile and William Gile.

Funeral services were held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eau Claire with Pastor Thomas Bryan officiating. Interment was in Forest Hill Cemetery, Eau Claire.