Henderson, Rosella died 2006

HENDERSON, HEIDEMAN, DAWSON, WILLIS, MONDINCOLLIS

Posted By: IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 4/16/2007 at 08:37:01

MADISON - Rosella Henderson, 84, of Madison died Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006, at St. Mary's Care Center, where she resided since her diagnosis of colon cancer 19 months ago.

She and her husband, Scotty, lived for over 50 years in Monona, Iowa, where they raised their five children. Prior to her marriage, Rosella had been a teacher in a rural, one-room schoolhouse in Allamakee County, Iowa.

After her husband died in 1994, Rosella relocated to Madison to be near two of her children and their families, Nancy Henderson (spouse, George Heideman and daughter, Kate Heideman) and Wynn Henderson (daughters, Rachel and Meghan Henderson).

The nurturance she received from them, from their close friends, as well as friends she made at Midvale Heights and St. Mary's, greatly enriched her life.

Rosella instilled in her children and grandchildren a love for education, an abiding spirituality, the values of kindness, compassion, and a deep gratitude toward life and toward other fellow travelers.

In keeping with her Irish heritage, she had a sharp wit, a great love for music and dancing, an iron will, a delight in all children and particularly her grandchildren, and a high level of interpersonal intelligence.

As a staunch Democrat, she canceled out her husband's vote in most election years. In the words of the writer Henry James, "there are three significant human endeavors: the first is to be kind, the second is to be kind, and the third is to be kind."

Those who knew her will remember her kindness and miss her forever. Besides her Madison family, she is additionally survived by a daughter, Sherie Dawson of Monona, Iowa, (spouse, Larry; sons, Michael, Matthew, and Mark; and daughter-in-law, Joanna Willis of Minneapolis St. Paul); as well as a daughter, Joan Henderson of Boise, Idaho, (spouse, Fred Mondin; and step-son Greg Mondin and family of Boise); and a son, Gene Henderson of St. Louis and Miami, (spouse, Glenda, and son, Chris Collis and family of Bloomington, Minn.). Three sisters, two sisters-in-law, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews are also among those who mourn her passing.

Rosella was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two sisters; and three brothers. A memorial service will be held in the community room of ST. MARY'S CARE CENTER on Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Her remains will be buried in Monona, Iowa.

The family wishes to extend deep appreciation to the following: Stephani Hinners for her generosity and concern over these past two years; Dr. Elizabeth O'Brien for her professionalism, her unwavering and humane care of our mother; the staff of St. Mary's for their unparalleled devotion and excellent care; and to Rosella's extended family in Madison, the dear friends of Nancy Henderson, George and Kate Heideman, Wynn, Rachel, and Meghan Henderson. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St Marys Care Center.

~Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, Wisconsin
September 10, 2006