Don Henkenius
1932 — 2018
Don Henkenius, 86, of Elgin, passed away Friday, August 31, 2018 at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, NE.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at St. Boniface Church in Elgin, with Rev. Kevin Vogel officiating. Interment followed in St. Boniface Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 229 and VFW Post 5816 of Elgin. Visitation was held Tuesday at the church, with a 7 p.m. wake service. Huffman-Levander Funeral Home of Elgin is in charge of arrangements. Condolences by be sent to the family at www.huffmanlevander.com.
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John Donald Henkenius, son of William and Irene Catherine (Kuester) Henkenius, was born August 14, 1932 on the family’s farm west of Elgin. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Church in Elgin, attended St. Boniface School through the ninth grade and received his High School Diploma at a Veteran’s Day Program from Elgin High School in 2001. He entered the United States Army on February 4, 1953 and served until being honorably discharged on January 26, 1955 with the rank of Corporal.
On October 12, 1955, Don married Shirley Ann Sehi at St. John’s Catholic Church in rural Clearwater. The couple made their home southeast of Elgin until moving to rural Clearwater, where Don farmed until he suffered a heart attack in 1966. They moved to Elgin and Don bartended at Pines Bar and worked as a janitor at Elgin Public School until his retirement in 1997.
Don was a lifelong member of St. Boniface Church and a member of VFW Post #5816 of Elgin. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gambling and playing cards.
He is survived by his wife Shirley Henkenius of Elgin; sons: Larry Henkenius of Elgin; Don Jr. (Jen) Henkenius, of Clearwater; daughters, Patricia (Duane) Ohlrich of Columbus, Linda (John) Nadolski of Valentine, Mary (Bob) Bauer of Elgin, Diane (Kasey) Landers of Abilene, KS and Janet (Bert) Dozler of Elgin; daughter-in-law Brenda Henkenius Towns of Giltner; 21 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren with two on the way, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son Edward and daughter Sharon; sister Donna McGrath and husband Charlie; and an infant sister.
