Shirley Henning

Shirley Henning, aged 89, passed away, unexpectedly but peacefully on May 7.  She was with her family and was content that she led a good, full life.  

Shirley was a spry and energetic woman.  Only in the last few years did health become an issue.  Following a brief but substantial decline in health in the last two months, Shirley no longer has to worry about her back pain, heart issues or her advancing macular degeneration.  Shirley is survived by her two children, David Henning and Susan (Henning) Peters (Keith), four grandchildren, Ryan (Brielle), Nicholas, Emily (Justin) and Luke Peters, and two great-grandchildren, Laikyn and Navy Peters. Shirley is also survived by her brothers William (Joanne) and John (Marie) Hermann.  She was preceded in death by her parents, David Hermann and Marie Katherine Hasselbach and her husband, Harold Henning.

Shirley Hermann was born in Maywood (Chicago) Illinois in 1935.  She moved to Sheboygan with her family in 1947 and graduated from Central High School in 1953. She met her true love, Harold Henning, at a dance at the Playdium dance hall/movie theater, and as she put it “that was the start of a long, loving marriage of nearly 65 years.” Shirley’s devotion to her husband was touching.   She would try her best to alleviate his neuropathy pain, and remained positive throughout all the troubles Harold had.

In her long life Shirley worked several jobs, including at the old gas company and at Household Finance.   The job she loved most was receptionist at Schultz Sav-o, then the parent company of Piggly Wiggly.  She was the face and voice of that place for 20 years, taking hundreds of thousands of calls as well as greeting, and sometimes scolding, salespeople if they weren’t properly dressed for the weather.  

After Harold died, Shirley moved to Mapledale apartments, making many new friends. Shirley loved her apartment and was always friendly, upbeat and cheerful.  She didn’t complain, wanted to help in any way she could and always tried to do so.  She loved the mornings, Hallmark movies, greeting people she saw at her apartment and just being alive.  In her younger days Shirley enjoyed sewing, making a lot of clothes that the family wore.   When going on car club tours with Harold, she would put together period clothing to go with the car being driven.   Shirley enjoyed travelling, going to Europe, Hawaii, the Rose Bowl and seeing family in Neenah and Florida.

In the end Shirley was happiest when with family.  Family was central to her life, whether making weekly dinners, attending gatherings for birthdays and holidays or even simple phone calls and texts.  She loved pictures and updates about her great grandchildren.  Shirley was important to everyone in the family through her love, positive attitude and example.  Hers is a loss at that cannot be replaced, and family gatherings will be sadder with her gone.  But she lives in all of our hearts and is still with us today, through the values she instilled into her children and grandchildren.  Shirley is gone from the world, but will always be with us in idea, thought and spirit.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will take place at Ebenezer UCC in Sheboygan on Friday, May 17. Visitation is at 2:00. The service is at 4:00.        

In lieu of gifts, please make a donation in Shirley’s name to Ebenezer United Church of Christ.