Lou Ann Henschke

LOU ANN "LOU" HENSCHKE October 18, 1947 - September 1, 2015 Lou Ann "Lou" Henschke, age 67, died in the familiar comfort of her home surrounded by the loving warmth and peace of her loved ones. Lou was born October 18, 1947 to Edwin Arthur Ahlbrecht and Rhodella (Kohls) Ahlbrecht near Hector, MN. She was the second of four daughters. Lou was baptized on November 9, 1947 and confirmed on March 26, 1961 at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake, MN. She graduated from Buffalo Lake Public High School in 1965. Lou was born and raised on her parents' farm. It was there that she learned the values of life and hard work, mixed together with family love and fun times. On October 28, 1972 Lou was united in marriage to Wayne O. Henschke at their home church, Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake. During their married life they resided in Waukegan, IL, Hutchinson, MN, and at Lake Belle Taine near Nevis, MN. Most recently they enjoyed retirement at their home overlooking beautiful Sweitzer Lake near Park Rapids. Lou made many friends while working as a payroll clerk at 3M Company in Hutchinson for thirty four years. She retired from 3M Company in 2001. Lou enjoyed a warm and happy home life, being outdoors, reading, sewing, sitting by the fireplace and spending time with family and friends. She also enjoyed planting trees and flowers and watching them grow. Lou loved doing things with her best friend, her husband Wayne. They enjoyed traveling and going on many Canadian fishing trips. They travelled from coast to coast in their RV and took a cruise up the Inside Passage from Seattle to Alaska. Lou loved God's creations - the sunrises, trees and plant life, birds, deer, snowflakes and the beauty in the change of the seasons, especially autumn. She loved the cry of a loon over the water of a northern lake and the moon rising over pine trees and shining on the water. It was during these moments that she was really at peace with herself, God and the world. Lou is survived by her husband, Wayne; two sisters: Bonnie (Lannie) Zarn of Sleepy Eye, MN and Janice (Jerry) Kiecker of Fairfax, MN; one brother-in-law, Steve Erickson of Olivia, MN; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; and one sister, Joni Erickson, who died from cancer at age 39. Funeral service will be held at 2 PM Saturday September 5, 2015 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN with visitation beginning two hours prior to the service. Special musical tributes will be "I Believe", "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", "Beautiful Savior" and I Can Only Imagine". Casket bearers will be Jill Kiecker, Kory Kiecker, Ryan Zarn, Jeff Zarn, Karley Zarn and Emily Erickson. Honorary casket bearers will be Mike & Janell Beelner. There will be a luncheon served at the funeral home following the service. Interment will be made at Bethel Cemetery in Park Rapids. To view the video tribute, or leave online condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com