Bio: Henchen, Clara (Retirement - 1969)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Henchen, Frantz

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 11/06/1969

Henchen, Clara (Retirement - 1969)

Last week Wednesday afternoon, Memorial Hospital and Home personnel honored Clara Henchen at a coffee party on her last day of duty after completing 52 years of service as a registered nurse.

Included in the gifts she received were a floral centerpiece, a musical alarm clock and a brooch, form the administration and Memorial personnel; a corsage from the residents of Memorial Home and a bouquet given by a former classmate, Mrs. Anna Frantz.

Pictures were taken and members of the board, doctors, personnel, Red Cross volunteers and auxiliary participated.

Miss Henchen has worked continuously since her graduation from a Dubuque, Ia., nursing school. Her first 25 years were spent at a hospital in Dubuque as an operating room supervisor, followed by five years at a similar post in Warren, O. At Stanley, Marshfield and Neillsville she has served efficiently in all capacities where she was needed.

During the years she has taken much post-graduate work, including a course in surgical nursing at Lakeside Hospital in Cleveland, O., and one in nursing supervision at Greeley, Colo. She took a Red Cross course in nursing at Fort Collins, Colo.; continuous evening courses at the University of Iowa-Dubuque; one in nursing supervision at the University of Chicago and a course in sociology at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, taught by a Sister from Cardinal Stritch College.

In addition to serving as a nurse, Miss Henchen has been active in community service. She was a member and leader of Business and Professional Women’s clubs of Dubuque, Ia., Marshfield and Neillsville.

In 1962-63, she served as president of Coulee Region, No. 4, Business and Professional Women’s Clubs of La Crosse, Sparta, Tomah and Neillsville. In 1964-65, she served as president of the Neillsville club and has handled several district assignments for the club.

Since transferring to Neillsville in 1954, Miss Henchen has served the Neillsville Hospital and Home longer than any other nurse.