Jean Henkenius, 96, of Cumberland

Mass of Christian Burial: Will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Massena with burial in the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery.  A Luncheon will be at the church following the burial.  The Lamb Funeral Home in Massena is in charge of the professional arrangements.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Open Visitation:  Friends may call on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Massena from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Family Visitation:  The family will greet friends on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Massena from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Memorials:  May be directed to the Cumberland Library, Cumberland Fire Department or to the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Doris Jean Henkenius, Jean, was born March 30, 1927, to Roy Harold and Gladys (Tracy) Spies in Cumberland, Iowa.  She passed away on Monday, June 19, 2023, at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa, at the age of 96.   

Jean graduated from Massena High School in 1943.  She worked in many positions in real estate, for an electrical company, etc in the Council Bluffs/Omaha area.   

On April 14, 1962, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Carl Henkenius at the Queen of Apostles Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa.   

She was a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society and Massena American Legion Auxiliary.   

Jean loved helping her dad on the farm and was so proud of being a farm girl.  She and Ken worked many years together on their farm north of Massena milking cows, raising livestock and row crops.  Even after Ken’s passing in 2001 she toured her farm often and loved her annual combine ride.   

She was an amazing gardener and loved to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers.  Jean could can the best pickles that were devoured by the jar full.  Her family loved her rhubarb pie, eating fresh tomatoes straight from the garden and no one ever went hungry.   

Jean played basketball in high school and was an avid sports fan.  She always had a game on the tv and loved cheering for her favorites the Iowa Hawkeyes, St. Louis Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys.   

Card playing was such a joy for Jean whether it was old maid, crazy eights or go fish with the grandkids or her very favorite pinochle.  If anyone was playing pinochle she loved to join in and she helped organize the games at Cumberland Senior Haven for years.   

Jean was so proud of her kids Rod, Mike, Jan, Ted and John, her 16 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.  She was so happy watching them play sports and succeed.  Family was truly everything to her.   

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth in 2001; infant son, James Henkenius; son, Rod Kruse; sister, Helen (Gib) Schoenbohm; and two brothers, Allen Spies and Durward Spies.   

Jean is survived by her daughter-in-law, Marilyn Kruse of Omaha, children, Mike Kruse and Sherri Patterson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jan Walton of Massena, Ted Henkenius and wife Connie of Omaha and John Henkenius and wife Lisa of Bridgewater; 16 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.