Funeral services for Dennis R. Henrickson Jr., 92, of Estherville, were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 at the First Presbyterian Church in Estherville, with the Rev. Dr. David Ullom officiating. Interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery, Estherville. Dennis died Oct. 18, 2023, at The Good Samaritan Society in Estherville.
Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church.
Dennis (Denny) Henrickson Jr., was born August 24, 1931, in Palo Alto County.
Denny graduated from a one room school in 1945, Emmetsburg High School 1949, Emmetsburg Junior College 1951, and Iowa State University, 1953, with a degree in zoology. From 1953 to 1955 he was in the United States Army. He served as a medic and was stationed at St. Johann, Austria. After his discharge he attended Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) to obtain a teaching certificate. While there he met Belva Ramler. His first teaching job was in the fall of 1956 at Adel High School teaching high school science. Belva was teaching first grade in Des Moines. They were married in June 1957.
He completed a master’s degree in science education at Drake University in 1960. He then took a new job teaching science at Estherville High School and Junior College, finishing his teaching career in 1974 as a full-time college instructor. Upon moving to Estherville, they purchased a farm. After leaving teaching he became a full-time farmer until 2003. They continued to live on the farm and had a few animals to keep him busy.
Denny served on the Lincoln Central School Board. He was a member of the Gruver Presbyterian Church and served as a trustee.
Dennis is survived by Belva, his loving wife of 66 years; their children: Tim (Lori), who lives in Idaho, Denise (Dean) Christensen who lives in Spirit Lake, and Dennis III (Stephanie) who lives in Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren: Erik (Hailey), Claire (Andy) Steber, Lee, and Sarah (Andrew) Esmeier; niece Diane Erickson; sister-in-law Bonnie Ramler Olson; brother-in-law Bruce Ramler; and many other extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis Sr. and Adella (Kennedy); granddaughter, Cora Elizabeth Henrickson; sister Carole Henrickson Scholl; mother and father-in-law Harry and Cora (Peterson) Ramler; sisters-in-law Betty Ann Ramler Sternitzke and Beverlee Ramler and other extended family members.
