AD SPACE

Cleo Henning

Cleo Henning passed away at the Thief River Care Center in TRF on Tuesday morning, August 12, 2008, at the age of 90 years, one month and 14 days.
Cleo Jeanette Henning, daughter of the late Alfred and Christine (Saustad) Peterson, was born on June 28, 1918 at Mud Lake near Middle River. She attended school and grew to womanhood there, graduating from Lincoln High School in TRF in 1935. Cleo was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. On February 29, 1939, she was united in marriage to Eddie Henning at TRF. They owned and operated Cleo’s Cafe in Holt for several years, then purchased the John Henning homestead at Thief Lake where they farmed for many years. The couple also operated the Thief Lake Hunting Camp for 18 years. For six years during the summer months. Cleo cooked at Bar Harbor Supper Club near Brainerd and was employed as a cook at the Melgaard Farm near Warren. She cooked at the former Blom’s Boarding Home in Middle River for several years, and she and Eddie also owned and operated the former Rex Cafe in Middle River and then was head cook for several owners for 17 years. She was a longtime member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church of Thief Lake and active in Ladies Aid. She belonged to the MR Senior Citizens and was a member of R.S.V.P., also a member of the Garden and Community Clubs in Middle River. She enjoyed Scrabble and Rummikub, could solve any Cryptoquip puzzle and enjoyed Wheel of Fortune and Lawrence Welk. She was a historian in her own right as she compiled information and organized it into a library of scrapbooks and albums. Her kind, lighthearted nature was evident in the collection of butterflies adorning her home. Her quick wit and sense of humor lightened any room and she had a knack for writing and poetry. She devoured newspapers cover to cover and loved to share her knowledge. And if she had to choose between a scoop of mashed potatoes or a scoop of ice cream, we all know what she would choose. Her most enjoyable pastime was gatherings with friends and family, and her greatest treasure was her family.
Eddie passed away May 12, 1979, and Cleo continued her home at Middle River. In 2003, she became a resident of the Thief River Care Center.
Cleo is survived by one son: Jerome (Sharon) of Middle River; two daughters: Jeanelle (Ivan) Johnson of Holt, and KayDell (Tom) Super of Middle River: five grandchildren: Cecily McGlynn, Corey Johnson, Kristina Super, Kara Super-Peterson, and Thomas (T.J.) Super; four great-grandchildren: Brady, Tylan and Jenae Johnson, and Eddie Super-Peterson; in addition to several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services for Cleo Henning were held on Friday, August 15, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Thief Lake with Pastor Nancy Hanson officiating. Organist was Pat Hanson with special music by Cecily McGlynn and Don Lunke, and by Barb Geer and Jed Geer.
Cleo’s grandchildren were pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Clinton Castle, Sally Gentry, Mae Geer, Rose Jevne and Mary Swan. Interment was in Our Savior’s cemetery with arrangements by Collins Funeral Home of Middle River.