February 19, 1930 – Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Service Information
Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo, MN
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
11:00 A.M.
Visitation Information
AT THE CHURCH
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
One hour prior to services
MEMORIALS ARE PREFERRED TO ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION
Willard LeRoy Henson passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at Cottagewood Memory Care Home at the age of 84.
He was born on February 19, 1930 in Buffalo, Minnesota the son of Monroe and Evelyn (Mills) Henson.
Willard graduated in 1949 from Buffalo High School where he excelled as a varsity basketball and football player.
Willard L. Henson and Doris V. Thompson were married on April 30, 1955. Together they raised their three children: Paulette, Thomas and Brenda. They enjoyed a rich life together in the Buffalo community.
Willard worked with his dad and brothers in The Henson Brothers Construction Business and many in the area will remember using their excavation services. Willard also owned his own business Henson’s Game Farm. He started with a love of birds and a pair of Wood Ducks and built a very successful waterfowl breeding operation, raising over 30 species of ducks, geese and swan. He was recognized as a Master Duck Breeder in 2003 and was one of the first in the country to raise the rare Baikal Teal.
Willard discovered hidden talent in 1973 when he first carved a miniature Pintail duck and learned to paint. He went on to become a well respected carver and artist turning out beautiful life-like carvings of ducks, geese and fish.
He loved the outdoors and was passionate about hunting and fishing, activities where his skills were legendary. One of his greatest pleasures in life was sharing time with his son Tom and other friends and relatives in a duck or goose blind.
Willard is survived by his wife: Doris; his three children: Paulette (Andrew) Epple, Tom (Diane Essig) Henson and Brenda (Frank) Sienkiewicz; his five grandchildren: Ryan, Mandy, Amber, Erika and Nicholas; his four great grandchildren; his sister: Patty (Jim) Schleif; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister: Phyllis (Charles) Schendel and by four brothers: Alonzo “Lonnie” Clyde, Howard and Duane “Butch” Henson.
Willard will be dearly remembered, missed and loved always!
Funeral services for Willard Henson will be held on Tuesday, December 30th, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo. Pastor Luke Schmidt will officiate. Interment will follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 30th one hour prior to services at the church.
Casket Bearers will be Harvey Denzin, David Berg, Mike Marquette, Steve Schleif, Ronald Rentz and John Kock.
Aunt Doris & family; Wish we could be with you during this time. Dad probably has him in a card game already and Mom probably has the coffee on… sending our love and sympathy from Texas. Clarence & Rena
Uncle Willard was such a huge part of my life growing up. My memories are endless. It breaks my heart that he has passed but it brings me comfort to know that he and my Dad are back together again as they so often were on this earth. Holding you all in my heart, thoughts and prayers.
Tom, so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. God Bless.
Our thoughts and prayers to the Henson family. So sorry for your loss. Willard was a very great man!!
We are so sorry to hear about Willard’s passing. We both have many happy memories of visits with the family and hearing Willard’s many stories. We treasure the many carvings he made for us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike and Sue Loss
I did not know Willard except through my friend Paulette. The devotion and love that Paulette showed for her father leave little doubt in my mind that he was a wonderful father and a great man who had a life that was well lived.