Memorial Services for Donald Henning, 82, of Jefferson will be 10:00 am Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson. Interment will be in the Scranton Cemetery, Scranton, Iowa. Visitation will be after 10:00 am Monday, September 14, 2009 at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society.

Donald Rolland Henning was born March 20, 1927 on a farm south of Scranton, Iowa.  He was the third of seven children born to Wilber George Henning and Hannah Marie Shaffer Henning. 
           
The Henning family moved to the Bagley area, and Donald attended country schools through the 8th grade.  He graduated from Bagley High School in 1945.
           
Donald met Virginia Knight of Coon Rapids one evening at the Scranton Roller Rink.  They remained loyal to each other from that point on.
           
Donald left home to enter the United States Navy on Friday, July 13, 1945.  He served on the USS LST 42 as a Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class for the duration of World War II, until he was honorably discharged. 
           
In the winter of 1946, Donald worked at John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa.  He began his farming career in 1947 and would farm for 42 years, retiring in 1989.  
         
On February 22, 1948, Donald was united in marriage to Virginia Knight at the bride’s parent’s home in Coon Rapids.  Donald and Virginia became the parents of two children: daughter, Geneva, who was born in 1949 and son, Darrell who was born in 1951.
           
The Hennings and their children traveled extensively through the years.  They enjoyed many camping trips, and have very fond memories of summers at Leach Lake, Minnesota.  Additionally, Donald and Virginia have traveled to all 50 states, Mexico, Canada, and eight European countries.  For over 22 years, Donald and Virginia spent the winters in Harlingen, Texas. 
           
Donald Henning was a member of First United Methodist Church in Jefferson. He was a Greene County Farm Bureau member, where he served in various offices on the board of directors.  He was the floor guard at the Maranatha Skateland for 17 years.  Donald and Virginia were charter members of the Jefferson Sportsmen’s Club at Slininger Woods.  On the national level, Donald and Virginia belonged to a camping organization called the Good Sam Club.         
           
Donald R. Henning died September 11, 2009 at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson.  He was 82 years of age.  Preceding him in death were his parents, and four brothers:  George, Marvin, Wendell, and Ernest.
           
Surviving is his wife, Virginia Henning of Jefferson, IA; daughter, Geneva Evans of Denison, TX; son, Darrell Henning and his wife Kristy of Altoona, IA; six grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; a brother, Allen Henning and his wife Betty of Boone, IA; and a sister, Phyllis Tiefenthaler of Odebolt, IA.
           
Donald was proud to say he was married sixty-one and a half years.  Many times throughout the years, Donald’s family and friends have heard him express this sentiment:  “I’ve had a good life, been in every state in the union, and half-way around the world both ways!”  

 Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society.