Patricia "Pat" Mary (Lewis) Henning

   Patricia Mary “Pat” Henning, age 89 of Adrian, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2023 at Parkview Manor in Ellsworth, MN with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. She was born February 2, 1934 in Adrian, MN. She was the only daughter of William J. and Eleanor (Masgai) Lewis’ eight children. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Adrian Catholic Church. Pat and her brothers grew up in Adrian and were involved with the family business, Lewis Hardware.

   Pat served as class president and graduated valedictorian in 1952 from St. Adrian High School. She graduated from Presentation School of Nursing - McKennan in Sioux Falls, SD in 1955. After graduation, Pat was employed as a surgical nurse at McKennan and later worked at the University of Minnesota in neurology.

   Pat married Cyril (Sonny) Henning on October 22, 1956 at St. Adrian. The couple lived in Jackson and later returned to Adrian where she worked at Arnold Memorial Hospital and the clinic of Drs. Arnold Nealy and Laikola. She was hired at Worthington Regional Hospital in 1962. Pat worked in nearly every department during her 35 years of employment there, but always seemed to gravitate back to surgery. She also shared her talents as a clinical instructor at Worthington Community College and was politically involved in her district and state nursing associations.

   Throughout her life, Pat strived to balance her nursing career, roles as wife and mother, and her passion for volunteering. Pat and Sonny were active members of St. Adrian Parish. For countless years she served as a catechist and took on numerous leadership roles within the Church and the Council of Catholic Women (CCW).

   After retirement, Pat became the Director of Parish Nursing for the Parish Cluster. She served on the Board for Helping Hands Pregnancy Center and Winona Catholic Charities. She also enjoyed volunteering as an election judge and for the American Red Cross.

   Pat and Sonny spent many winters in Mesa, AZ. She continued her caregiving role there as a “Sunshine Angel” within the community. Pat was blessed to experience a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Rome in 2000 with Sonny. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2016.

   Gardening was a favorite pastime, which included extensive freezing and canning. Baking was her talent! She will be remembered for her novelty holiday cookies, cinnamon and caramel rolls and elaborately decorated cakes for every celebration, particularly weddings. She was dedicated to the family farm, managed the accounting and business records, and made sure to feed anyone who came to work. Pat enjoyed bowling, playing cards, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

   Pat is survived by her daughter, Peggy (Chuck) Menomonie, WI; one brother, Ed Lewis, Brandon, SD  six grandchildren, Stacy (Jeff) Vortherms, Matt (Rachell) Henning, Lee (Shanelle) Henning, Chelsea (Aaron) Eernisse, Ciara (Andrew) Miller, & Chantel (Jack) Geiser; daughter-in-law, Bridget Henning, granddaughter-in-law Amanda Henning. Pat was blessed with 19 great-grandchildren, Erika, Ethan, Ellie, Evan, Kenna, Isi, Wyatt, Taryn, Brynn, Reese, Cooper, Remme, Paige, Davis, Marcus, Tess, Vaeda, Walden, and George, and many treasured nieces and nephews.

   She was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Ella, husband Sonny, son Tim and grandson Nick, six brothers: Don, Ray, Paul, Carl, Bill and Joe.

   Visitation will be Friday, April 28, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian; visitation also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Funeral Mass will be 10 am Saturday at St. Adrian Catholic Church, in Adrian, officiated by Monsignor Richard Colletti. Burial will be in the St. Adrian Cemetery.

   Dingmann Funeral Home, in Adrian, is in charge of arrangements.

   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the “St. Francis of Assisi Endowment Catholic Foundation” of Southern MN P.O. Box 588 Winona, MN  55987, which was established by the couple to support continued faith education programs.

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