Leonard John Henning, 94, was born on March 8th, 1928 in Willowdale. He is the son of Anthony “Antone” and Emma Mertens Henning; and brother to Julius, Anthony Jr., Robert, Eugene, Joan, and Florence.
Leonard grew up near Willowdale farming with his father and brothers. His mother, Emma, passed away when he was only 12 years old.
On August 13th, 1951, Leonard married Rosalyn “Rosie” Schwartz in Great Bend. Together they had 6 children – Geneva, Stanley, Randall, Sheila, Sharon, and Vernon “Bud”.
Leonard and Rosie raised their family near Willowdale and made their living raising cattle, chickens, pigs, and wheat. Tragedy struck during the harvest of 1974. While Leonard was working on the carburetor of a combine, it backfired, catching him on fire. He was blown off the machine and broke his ankle badly in the fall. He spent the next 2 years battling complications of the accident and nearly losing his leg.
When he was not working on the farm, Leonard’s favorite thing to do was fish. In the winter, he would take his boat and camper down to Corpus Christi, TX. There he spent his days catching Red Fish, Sheephead, Flounder, an occasional seagull, and usually the back of someone's head. He loved to cast right over your line if you were in a better spot than him. He also made good use of the dip net - not to help bring in a big one - but to knock your fish off the line if it was bigger than his.
Leonard’s personality was larger than life. His ornery sense of humor and contagious laugh put a smile on everyone’s face. His stories were always just a “little” exaggerated, and he would never hesitate to tell you exactly what he thought. Family meant everything to him. Beating family at a game of 5 point pitch meant even more. He was famous for bidding 4 on the deuce and confusing everyone, mostly his partners. Holidays spent gathered together playing pitch are a cherished memory for the generations Leonard and Rosie have left behind.
Leonard lived his life mostly close to home, taking occasional drives to Salt Plains or Cripple Creek or maybe just around the section to check out the wheat. He attended St. Peter's Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, both in Willowdale.
Leonard was preceeded in death by his parents; his grandson, Jed; his brothers, Julius, Anthony Jr., and Robert; his children, Randy, and Sheila; and his beloved wife of 67 years, Rosie.
Leonard was called to heaven on August 13th, 2022 at Wheatlands Health Care Center, Kingman.
He is survived by: his children, Geneva Henning (Gary), Stanley Henning (Becky), Sharon Nowak (Randy), Vernon “Bud” Henning; his sisters, Florence “DeeDee” Elsen, Joan Schwartz; his brother, Eugene “Gene” Henning; 15 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; and 1 great, great grandson.
Parish rosary will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, Aug. 19, 2022 at St. Peter Catholic Church, Willowdale. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday at the Livingston Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery.