Wilma Henderson

Wilma Cecilia Henderson, a lifetime resident of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Thursday, September 17, 2009, at the age of 90 years at the Heritage House in Atlantic. Wilma was born August 17, 1919 to Henry J. and Louise (Kreinhopf) Janss in Atlantic and spent her entire life in the area. She graduated from Atlantic High School with the class of 1939 and was a graduate of Kennedy's School of Cosmetology. In August 1942 Wilma was united in marriage to Merrill Lloyd (Tony) Hayes in Blair, Nebraska who passed away in 1985. They were blessed with four sons and Wilma served as Cub Scout den mother for all four boys. She also reached Majority in the Order of the Rainbow Girls. During this time she ran Wilma's Beauty Shop in Atlantic for 20 years plus. Wilma was united in marriage to Harold Henderson in September of 1986. She enjoyed sending cards to many people and was musically inclined and a member of the Sweet Adelines. The thing that made her happiest was to have her children all in the house and to be staying over night together. According to the family, "She never met a stranger ~ or forgot one"! She was a member of the United Church of Christ and was a Sunday school teacher. She is survived by sons, Robert Hayes and wife Sandra of Muscatine, IA and Thomas Hayes and wife Kathleen of Atlantic, IA, Clifford Hayes and wife Meredith of Omaha, NE, Claude Hayes and wife Harriet of Corning, IA; ten grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; stepchildren, Howard Henderson and wife Marcella of West Des Moines, IA, Allan Henderson and wife Bonnie of Brandon, VT and Roland Henderson of Wiota, IA; step-daughters, Janet Fulwider and husband Robert of West Liberty, IA and Margaret Henderson of Wiota, IA; sister, Lucille Ahrens of Des Moines, IA. Wilma is preceded in death by both husbands; her parents; brother Alfred Janss and grandson David Hayes. Funeral Information Services for Wilma will be held on Sunday, September 20, at the United Church of Christ in Atlantic at 2:30 P.M. with Pastor Nancy Jensen of the United Church of Christ officiating. A family visitation will be held at 1:30 P.M. an hour before the service. Refreshments will be served before at the church before leaving for the committal. Burial will be in the Prairie Rose Cemetery in Corning, Iowa. Memorials may be designated to the Heritage House and to the United Church of Christ. For area church and cemetery directions, please click here:Church DirectionsCemetery Directions Roland Funeral Service is caring for Wilma's family and the arrangements. Condolences may be left on the funeral home website: www.rolandfuneralservice.com.