Obit: Hennlich, Ina E. (1900 - 1999)

Contact: Linda Mertens
Email: mertens@wiclarkcountyhistory.org


Surnames: Hennlich, Ley, Edwards, Maxam, Elert, Wanke, Swan, Merwin, Romang, O’Conner


---Source - Helen Johnson's Scrapbook


Ina Hennlich E. (24 Aug 1900 - 7 Mar 1999)

Ina Emily Hennlich, 98, Owen, passed away March 7, 1999 at Continental Manor Nursing Home in Abbotsford, where she had resided since July, 1987.

Funeral services were held March 10, 1999, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Curtiss with Pastor Lauren Ley presiding. Burial was in the Pine Hill Cemetery in Curtiss. Pallbearers were grandsons: Gaylin Edwards, Harvey Maxam, Mark Elert, Mitchel Elert, James Wanke and Terry Wanke.

She was born August 24, 1900, to Ben and Emily (Swan) Merwin in Abbotsford. She graduated from Abbotsford High School on May 20, 1919. She attended Wausau Training School and taught at a country school in Marathon City. She attended Wisconsin State University in Stevens point. She taught for two years at Bruckerville Country School. She married Anton J. Hennlich at the homestead farm, east of Abbotsford on Dec. 28, 1920. He worked in Reynold’s Cheese Factory and Ina taught school until they moved to Portland, Ore. They moved back to Curtiss a few months later. In 1934, Ina was commissioned as Postmaster in Curtiss by Franklin D. Roosevelt. She retired as postmaster in 1965 after 31 years. They traveled all over the United States for two years before moving into an apartment in Owen. Anton passed away on Dec. 20, 1980. Ina moved to the nursing home in 1987.

She was a Girl Scout leader, a Sunday school teacher, an organist, a choir leader and a school clerk. She was president of the Curtiss Homemakers and Lutheran Church Society. She was also secretary of the Curtiss Community Club. She is a past matron of the Abbotsford Chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star and a 50-year member. She had served as district director and county chairperson of the National Association of Postmasters.

She is survived by her daughters: Evelyn Mae Wanke, West Allis; Jean (Donald) Romang, Athens; and Emily Ann (Harry) Elert, Cedarburg; sisters-in-law: Grace Merwin, Abbotsford; Gertrude Hennlich, Nekoosa; and Gretchen O’Conner, oak Creek; 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, two sisters, six brothers, two great-grandsons and two sons-in-laws, Orlyn Wanke and George Edwards.

Memorial in her name may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.