Genevieve Hennen

Genevieve M. Hennen, age 96, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Sunday, November 9, 2014 at Grace Home in Graceville, Minnesota A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton with Fr. Joe Vandeberg Celebrant. Organist will be Cindy Sanasack with special music provided by Dennis Johnson and Mary Jo Swartz. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Pallbearers will be Genevieve's granddaughters: Pauline Engelbreston, Michele Johnson, Melissa Hennen, Mary Saxton, Sara Tangen, Sadie Copley, Amber Schreier and Jennifer Forrest. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Grace Home caregivers, Barb Tauber and the caregivers and Sanford Home Health Care and Theresa Anderson. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 12th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. Time of Sharing Service at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton. Visitation will continue Thursday morning one hour prior to service time at the church. Genevieve Mary (Fridgen) Hennen was born in Croke Township, Traverse County at home on June 3, 1918. Her parents were Joseph J. Sr. and Orlie (Roth) Fridgen. Gen grew up on the family farm near Dumont, Minnesota with her parents, two brothers and two sisters. She lived in her home in Wheaton, Minnesota for 62 years. She moved into Grace Home, Graceville, Minnesota on October 14, 2014 where she resided until our Heavenly Father called her to her eternal home on November 9, 2014 Gen's first eight years of formal education began at St. Peter's Catholic School. She then completed her ninth and tenth grades in the "upper level" at a High School in the Village of Dumont. Gen then moved to Wheaton and received her High School diploma and Teachers Certification. She taught District 9 country school for one year. It was a one room school in which she taught 18 students in 8 different grades. Although her formal teaching career was over, she then became the "Teacher of Life." Gen met Alvin when she was 16. They met at a dance in Dumont at the town hall. Gen and her sister Evelyn had practiced dancing in their kitchen at home preparing for the evening event. There was an attraction, but Alvin was a bit on the "wild side." However two years later they began dating and were married on July 27, 1939 at St. Peter's Catholic Church. For 63 years they were each other's best friend and soul mate. Thus they began to teach and raise their six children in Wheaton. Genevieve's "work" was a homemaker. She worked hard and made everyone feel special as she knew that this was God's plan for her. Food preparation was a "labor of love." Whether it was her homemade bread, apple pie, or fresh cookies in the "cookie tin," she shared her love through her cooking. Gen always sent her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren a Birthday card on their special day. Everyone always looked forward to her cards as she would enclose a one dollar bill. She enjoyed playing cards and shaking dice. On her 95th birthday she was even throwing bean bags with her grandchildren. She was a great competitor and really liked to win. Gardening and flowers, especially her lilac bushes, peony bushes and her geraniums brought her great joy. Genevieve was active in her church and community. She was an election judge for many years. She taught religious education at Ava Maria for 25 years. She served on the parish council and was a member of the Ladies Guild. At age 85 she was commissioned as a Eucharistic Minister. Genevieve is survived by six children: Sharon Saxton of Alexandria, MN; Lisa (Terry) Stier of Montgomery, MN; Lee (Verna) Hennen of Anoka, MN; James Hennen of Wheaton, MN; John (Judy) Hennen of Anoka, MN; and Michael (Deb) Hennen of Fargo, ND; eighteen grandchildren, forty-one great-grandchildren, nine great-great grandchildren and one sister-in-law Helen Ann Fridgen of Wheaton. Genevieve was preceded in death by her parents Joseph J. and Orlie Fridgen, sisters Evelyn Fridgen-Lewis and Idelle Fridgen; brothers Joseph "Josie" and Eugene Fridgen; and grandson Bradley J. Hennen.
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Visitation

Ave Maria Catholic Church

• Wednesday, November 12, 2014
• 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
• Email Details
• 201 9th Street South
  Wheaton, MN 56296

Directions

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Funeral Service

Ave Maria Catholic Church

• Thursday, November 13, 2014
• 11:00 AM
• Email Details
• 201 9th Street South
  Wheaton, MN 56296

Directions