Henss, Wilma

Wilma D. Henss, 91, of New Baden, died Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville. She was born January 10, 1921 in Trenton, daughter of Herman and Lena (Berger) Wolf. She married Arnold E. Henss on June 7, 1945 in Trenton and he preceded her in death on January 4, 2007.
She is survived by her children, Sister Margaret Anne (Judith) Henss, PHJC of Portage, IN., Jackie (Gary) Weik of Grapevine, TX, Chuck (Cindi) Henss of Lees Summit, MO, Janice (Dan) Wiegmann of New Baden, Mary (Bernell) Becker of Beckemeyer, Arnold J. (Linda) Henss of Trenton, Magdalene "Maggie" Peters of Germantown, Melissa (Bob) Netemeyer of Albers, Paul (Bev) Henss of Germantown, John (friend, Gail Wade) Henss of Breese, Mark Henss of Belleville, Donna (Bob) Litteken of Trenton, and Diane "Fritz" (Steve) Maue of Aviston; she also sponsored Lazurus Kagiri Ann, a child in Kenya; 35 grandchildren, Kevin (Susan) Weik, Kim Weik, Kris (John) Wappler, Keith (Kara) Weik, Joe Weik, Elise Wright, August (Jason) Harrison, Eric (Kim) Wiegmann, Kate (Jeff) Ripperda, Josh (Corrie) Wiegmann, Zach Wiegmann, Neil Becker, Paul Becker, Jennifer (Corey) Jasper, Jessica (Brian) Dobrynski, Jarid (Jamie) Henss, Julie (special friend, Aaron Brown) Henss, Jeff Henss, Michelle Peters, Nancy (Tom) Rakers, Stephanie (fiance, Chris Hemker) Peters, Matt (Laurie) Netemeyer, Karen (Nick) Schroeder, Lauren Netemeyer, Brad Henss, Bryan Henss, Nick Henss, Nathan (Sara) Henss, Kyle Henss, Jacob Henss, Jordan Henss, Courtney Litteken, Emily Maue, Larisa Maue, and Nicole Maue; 30 great-grandchildren, Lauren, Allison, and Meghan Weik, Owen Wappler, Lucas, Trinity, Beckett and Maddox Harrison, Beck and Liv Wiegmann, Greta, Elena, Lucy and Xavier Ripperda, Travis, Tyler, and Bree Jasper, Colin and Austin Dobrynski, Kaden, Brant and Bryce Henss, Elliott and Adrienne Rakers, Brayden, Brysen and Aliya Henss, Landon and Mason Schroeder, and Aubrey Netemeyer; and a sister-in-law, Lorna Wolf of Swansea.
In addition to her husband and her parents she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Aimee Henss; daughter-in-law, Mary Henss; a brother, Norbert Wolf; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Marie and Vincent Kruep, Paul Henss, Melvin and Jane Henss, and Margaret Henss.
After receiving her teaching certificate from SIU in Carbondale, Wilma taught kindergarten in Alton and then grades one through eight at Oak Grove School, a one room school house, in rural Trenton. Later she operated their dairy farm with her husband. She was a member of St. George Parish and Altar Sodality in New Baden, the New Baden Lions Club, New Baden Senior Citizens, and the Mater Dei Mother’s and Friends Club. She enjoyed reading, playing cards, baking cookies and spending time and playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at St. George Catholic Church in New Baden with Rev. Gene Neff officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Trenton.
Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, March 2, 2012 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 3, 2012 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden. The Senior Citizens will visit the funeral home at 5 p.m. and the Lions Club will visit at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Nazareth Home, Mater Dei High School or Special Olympics and will be received at the funeral home.