Pastor John Henning 04/07/2025

Pastor John Fred Henning, 87, passed away peacefully at his home in River Falls, WI on April 7, 2025.  He will be laid to rest at 11:00, April 14^th at Ezekiel Lutheran Church, 202 S Second St, River Falls, WI 54022, with visitation between 9:00 and 11:00.  Visiting clergy are invited to vest and process as part of the service.  The color of the day is Purple.

John was born on May 29^th, 1937, to Fred R. Henning and Ella C. Née Gorder in Watertown, WI.  He was raised in Janesville, WI, along with his two sisters Sue (Mrs. Stanley Meyers) and Jean (Mrs. Eli Hanel).  He was baptized at St. Peter’s Lutheran church in Janesville, WI. Sponsored by Nora Henning and Silvia Virchew.  He was confirmed at First Lutheran, Janesville, WI.

John graduated from Janesville High School in 1955.  He received a Bachelor of Arts from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN in 1959.  He received a Bachelor of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St Paul, MN in 1963.  He interned at Zion Lutheran in Duluth, MN, and was ordained at his home congregation of First Lutheran in Janesville on June 16,1963.

John served five parishes in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (or predecessors):

• Woodlake Lutheran of Richfield, MN as Associate Pastor 1963 – 1966
• St Peter’s Lutheran of Sheboygan, WI as Pastor 1966 – 1971
• Grace Lutheran of Darlington, WI as Pastor 1971 – 1977
• Our Saviors Lutheran of Merril, WI as Senior Pastor 1977 – 2002
• Ezekiel Lutheran of River Falls, WI as Visitation Pastor 2002 – 2019

John met Joan (Joni) Hegstad in his first parish, and they married on June 11, 1966, at Woodlake Lutheran Church in Richfield, MN.  John and Joni had two children, Mark Daniel (Sp. Christopher Morlock) in 1967 and Michael David (Sp. Elizabeth Robertson) in 1970.  He has two grandchildren through Michael, Christopher John (CJ) in 2002 and Elliann Catherine (Ellie) in 2007.

In addition to his pastoral work, John had an active volunteer life including the District Youth Committee, Outdoor Ministry Camps, Merril Hospital Ethics Committee, the Kiwanis Club, Habitat for Humanity, Handyman Helper, and Lutheran Brotherhood / Thrivent Activities.

John served on the Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper MI Board of Directors and held the Conference Chairman position on the Haven Board Domestic Abuse Shelter.

Music was important in John’s life.  Joni spent many years directing the choir of Our Saviors Lutheran Church.  He passed his love of music to his children, who participate in faith-based musical organizations.  John was also a strong patron of these organizations.

John was also an accomplished woodworker, producing many lovely pieces including custom bed frames for his children, a complete set of cabinets for his Merrill Wisconsin home, the stands that will bracket his casket at the funeral, and many others.

John’s life was spent in service to others.  He was kind, and cared for all people, including those who were underprivileged and ostracized by others.

John is preceded in death by his parents Fred (1954) and Ella (1982) Henning, his nephew David Myers (1960) and his sisters Jean Hanel (2011) and Sue Meyers (2024).  He is survived by his wife Joni, his sons Mark and Michael, and his grandchildren Elliann and Christopher.

A funeral service for Pastor John was held Monday, April 14, 2025 at Ezekiel Lutheran Church (202 South 2nd St) River Falls, Wisconsin at 11:00AM with visitation beginning a 9:00AM and was streamed live using the link below.   Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery, River Falls, Wisconsin.

Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

Click here to watch the recording of Pastor John’s service