Michael G. 'Mike' Henle, 12 Jun 1947 - 02 Apr 2024

HENLE, KRIEGEL, SCHMITT, WELCH, KOSTER, ANDERSON, ERICKSON, DAVIDSON, CALDERWOOD

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 4/11/2024 at 13:56:14

Michael G. “Mike” Henle, 76, of Toledo, passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at UnityPoint-Grinnell Regional Hospital. A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, April 12. 2024 at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael McAndrew as celebrant. Interment will be held at a later date. A Memorial Visitation will be held Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 4-7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Michael was born on June 12, 1947, in Brooklyn, Iowa, the son of George Francis and Marjorie Emma (Kriegel) Henle.

Mike attended country school until 8th grade. He graduated from Brooklyn High School. Later in his career, he earned his welding certificate and then checked off an item on his bucket list by attending school for Auctioneering.

On February 8, 1969, he met the love of his life on a blind date and on October 25, 1969, he was united in marriage to Joann Schmitt at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Colo, Iowa. Together, they began to build their life and family in Chelsea, Iowa where Mike worked in Agriculture. He began working at Musel’s John Deere Implement as a mechanic. Later, he worked at Horrigan’s and Froning’s Grain Elevators. Mike would finish his career for Southard John Deere Implement in Tama as a mechanic and working his way into sales before he retired. Mike was a hard worker, but always managed to make time and incredible memories with Joann and his kids, whether it was fishing, hunting, or roasting hot dogs around the fire in the timber while cutting wood. Mike had a heart of gold with the willingness to help his neighbors and community. He did this in various ways such as being one of the original EMT’s in Chelsea, raising funds by acting in community plays, teaching hunters’ safety courses, coaching youth softball in Chelsea, teaching troubled teens to fish, and teaching youth his faith in religious educations at St. Joseph’s and St. Patrick’s Churches.

Mike was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Chelsea and Patrick’s Catholic Church in Tama as well as a member of the Lion’s Club. Mike enjoyed his free time fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting (his spots were top secret), woodworking, playing Rummy and Pepper, and traveling with Joann. His greatest joy was time spent with his kids and grandkids. Mike will be remembered for his incredible kindness, witty humor, and infectious laugh.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-four years, Joann of Toledo; three children, Dirk (Daneen) Henle of Toledo, Amy (Brian) Welch of Rochester, MN and Jamie (Kameron) Koster of Toledo; eight grandchildren, Dalaynee Henle, Draysen (Audrey Anderson) Henle, Baustin Welch, Sierra (Ryan Erickson) Welch, Madison Welch, and Kalista, Kaileb and Kenley Koster; his siblings, Diane Davidson of Brooklyn, David (Carol) Henle of Council Bluffs, Duane (Judy) Henle of Fairbank and Dale (Chung) Henle of Baltimore, MD; and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, George and Marjorie Henle; sister, Judy (Charlie) Calderwood; and brother-in-law, Keith Davidson.

Memorials may be directed to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital in his name under the Mollie Tibbett's memorial fund.

Published in The Hometown Current on April 10, 2024.