Barbara J. Henneman

Barbara Jean Henneman, 85, passed away peacefully on May 17th, 2024 in Eau Claire, WI. 

Barb was born on August 26, 1938 in Minneapolis, MN to Ernest and Mabel Johnson. After her father’s death in 1950, her mother married Sylvester (“Buster”) Heskin and the family moved to Fargo, ND. Barbara felt so lucky to have had two wonderful fathers in her life and loved both of them dearly. She graduated from Central High School in Fargo in 1956 and started nursing school in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She met her future husband, James Henneman, in St Cloud. They married on July 5, 1958 and moved to Florida where Barb completed her schooling at Jackson Memorial Hospital. In 1960 they moved to Eau Claire, WI. 

Barb was an RN at Luther Hospital in the OB department for many years. She loved her job, her favorite thing in the world was a newborn baby. She and Jim raised their five children in Eau Claire and retired to Naples, Florida in 1989 where they enjoyed many happy years together. They summered at their lake home in Webster, WI, then bought an RV and traveled the country together every summer, going as far north as Alaska. It was a dream retirement filled with friends, family, and travel. Barbara returned to Eau Claire in 2015 to spend her final years close to family. Barb was a social butterfly, the eternal optimist, and she always lived life to it’s fullest. 

Barb loved fishing and camping, travel, nature, the beach, sunsets, singing in the church choir, reading, golf, and all sorts of crafts. She loved people and developed many strong friendships throughout her lifetime. Barb had an amazing sense of humor and a lifelong love of learning. We will miss her beautiful blue eyes and her laughter. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Mabel Johnson, her stepfather, Buster Heskin, and her beloved husband, Jim. She is survived by her sister, Beverly Webster, and by her children, Thomas Henneman (Albuquerque NM), Kathryn (Tom) Tessendorf (Coeur D’Alene ID), Kristin (Brad) Burling (Cumberland WI), John (LaRita) Henneman (Chetek WI) and Susan (Jay) Ganther (Eau Claire WI). 13 grandchildren, Anna Werner, Joshua Burling, Joseph Tessendorf, Jacob Burling, Kristin Hamman, Kathryn Martens, Lucas Henneman, Fr. Isaac Pecha, Hannah Pecha, Ethan Henneman, Grace Pecha , Seth Pecha, and Henry Pecha. 14 great grandchildren.

Anyone who knew Barb knows how much she loved animals. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in her name to the Eau Claire County Humane Association. 

Private family inurment will take place at a later date in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Chippewa Falls. 

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.  

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