Biography

Henriette Anne (Scheele) Kneevers Henning, a resident of the Sheboygan Senior Community, 630 North 6th Street, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, died there Tuesday, March 02, 2010.
Henriette was born March 21, 1913, to Henriette Franzesca (Braband) and Henry Scheele, Jr. Her paternal grandfather was an 1848 pioneer settler to this area, sponsor of many German immigrant families to Sheboygan County during the 19th century, and founder of the first monument works here. Her father continued the family business and participated in Great Lakes shipping and commerce. Her maternal family came to this area in the 1870’s after fleeing the Chicago fire.
Henriette was a 1930 graduate of Sheboygan High School and 1934 class of Milwaukee Downer College, now part of Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin. She married Victor August Kneevers on October 28, 1933. He preceded her in death in 1958. Henriette and Victor had three children, Victoria A. Kneevers Sheagren (Dr. John N.) of Grand Rapids, MI; Karen M. Kneevers Mason of Kohler, and Fredric C. Kneevers, who died in 1946. She married Gottlieb Henning on September 22, 1962, at the First Congregational Church. They were devoted and loving companions, residing in the home built by her father in the five hundred block of Niagara Ave. Henriette was born in the home and resided there for 80 years, until moving to the Sheboygan Senior Community in 1993.
Henriette was an active member of the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ for many years, serving as trustee, Christian education teacher and with the Priscilla Circle. She held volunteer leadership roles with the Easter Seal Society of Wisconsin, the Girl Scouts of America and Lincoln School PTA, in addition to membership in AAUW and the Sheboygan County Historical Research Society. An active alumna, Henriette was honored by Lawrence University in 1989 as recipient of the Gertrude B. Jupp Outstanding Service Award for serving more than 60 years as secretary of her Milwaukee-Downer College class and for coordinating that group’s 45th, 50th, 55th, and 60th reunions. She also chaired several reunions of the February, 1930, graduating class of Sheboygan High School, including the 65th in 1995. She was elected Residents Council chair at the Sheboygan Senior Community in 1994 and served in that capacity for a number of years. In addition to her community service, Henriette was employed in the x-ray medical records department of the Sheboygan Clinic, retiring in 1975.
During an active retirement, she became an outstanding quilt designer, creating many exquisite works of fabric art for her family. As a strong and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt and great-aunt, Henriette was the glue that held the family together. She was a tireless researcher, keeper of the family’s history and genealogy, enjoyed a wide correspondence with lifelong friends and traveled widely in this country and Europe.
In addition to her two daughters, Henriette Henning is survived by five grandchildren: John F. Sheagren of Missoula, MT; Rev. Martha A. Sheagren (Brian) Beals, East Grand Rapids, MI; Eric P. Sheagren (Ann Margaret), Ann Arbor, MI; Victoria E. Vollrath of Leucadia, CA, and Sarah L. Vollrath, of San Marcos, CA. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Jonathan D. Sheagren, Annette M. Sheagren, Victor A. Beals, Samuel E. Beals, Joseph R. Sheagren and Noah K. Sheagren; four great-great-grandchildren, Lydia A. Sheagren, Faith V. Sheagren, Mikayla E. Sheagren, and London Jon Sheagren; beloved nephews, Henry Z. Scheele, Ph.D. of West Lafayette, IN; Robert C. Z. Scheele of Bonita Springs, FL; and Burton M.Z. Scheele of Madison, WI and their families.
A memorial service will be held 12 Noon Saturday, March 20, 2010 at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. The Reverend James H. Hollister, Senior Minister, will officiate. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Henriette Henning’s name for the benefit of the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Sheboygan Senior Community, Mead Public Library Renaissance Foundation and Lawrence University.
Henriette’s family is profoundly grateful for the compassionate care she was given by the entire staff of the Sheboygan Senior Community and the Sharon S. Richardson Hospice.
email condolences to: support@ballhornchapels.com

Memorial Service

Saturday March 20, 2010, 12:00 - Noon at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
Click for Map and Directions