Gene R. Henningsen

Gene R. Henningsen was born April 4, 1940 to Raymond and Esther (Dorale) Henningsen at his family’s home in Schleswig, Iowa.

Gene was united in marriage to Connie Halterman on September 27, 1959. To this union four children were born, Kay, Shannon, Cindy and Darin.

Gene worked for Jack Schur from 1959-1960, and then farmed in the Ricketts area from 1960 to 1962. He moved to Ida Grove in 1962 and farmed there until 1985 when he moved to Guthrie Center where he owned a gas station and tire store until 1989. In 1990 he bought Johns Sales in Holstein, a tractor part store, and sold it in 2001 when he retired. In retirement he worked for Schmidt Mfg. delivering cookers and grills. He enjoyed traveling from coast to coast to over 40 states. In his retirement he enjoyed fishing, traveling and doing tractor part repair out of the house.

Gene is survived by his wife Connie of Holstein, IA; children, Kay and Les Sorenson of Onawa, IA, Shannon and Barbara Henningsen of Ida Grove, IA, Cindy and Ron Hausman of Onawa, IA, and Darin and Esther Henningsen of La Vernia, TX; grandchildren, Matt Sorenson and special friend Lacey Williams of Wayne, NE, Shilby and Kaylene Henningsen of Germany, Bree Henningsen of Ida Grove, IA, Ryan Henningsen and special friend Desi Durston of Battle Creek, IA, Nate and Ashley Hausman of Whiting, IA, Kayla Hausman of Onawa, IA, Mina and Steve Shaerer of Las Vegas, NV, Scotty and Sara Rife of La Vernia, TX, Tony Sund of La Vernia, TX; great-grandchildren, Lorelai and Maggie Sorenson, Alexia Schaerer and Calab Rife. He is also survived by his sisters, Florence Kepford of Denison, IA, Marlene and Loren Lee of Schleswig, IA; and brother, David and Cathy Henningsen of Ida Grove, IA; brothers and sisters-in-law, Delos and Mary Halterman of Elgin, S.C., Bernice Koester of Council Bluffs, IA, and Jolene Ricketts of Denison, IA and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Joshua Sorenson; sister, Shirley Henningsen; parents-in-law, Howard Halterman and Walt and Ella Steckelberg; brother-in-law, Dwight Kepford; and nephew, Andrew Lingle.