Henderson, Donald Leroy

Donald Leroy Henderson, 74, of Lansing, Iowa, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, July 17, 2011, at Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse, Wis., following a long illness. Don will be cremated as he requested. After a private family service, military rites will be held near the VFW building on the river in Lansing at 11 a.m. July 27. As Don requested, a Celebration of Life and buffet will be held for family, friends and neighbors at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, at Milty's in Lansing.

Donald Leroy Henderson was born Dec. 11, 1936, in Iowa City, the son of Harvey L. and Stella (Driscoll) Henderson. He attended St. Mary's School and City High in Iowa City. On March 10, 1956, Don married Shirley M. Conner at St. Mary's Church in Iowa City, they had just celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. He served four years in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, serving two of those years in North Africa. He was a member of the American Legion for 31 years and was very proud of his service to his country. Don worked for 26 years in the maintenance department at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. He was also a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 101 in Cedar Rapids.

Don's greatest joys were riding his 750 Honda, trout fishing and woodworking, until his health prevented him from continuing. Recently he had spent his time testing his skills on the computer and responding to politicians and sports commentators on television. He enjoyed our beautiful scenery and his cats, dogs and wildlife. His more recent pastimes were the daily gab sessions at breakfast with the Lansing locals, the monthly steak fry at the VFW in DeSoto, and he never missed the local church suppers. His greatest passion was always the Chicago Bears.

Don is survived by his wife, Shirley Marie (Conner) Henderson; sons, Donald L. Jr. of Cedar Rapids, and Jeffery L. (Christal) of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Pamela J. Boesenberg of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Ben (Laine) Boesenberg, Stefanie (Adam) Harford, Kalissa Henderson, Justin Henderson, Sandy Henderson, Donald Henderson III, Eric Henderson and Nathan Henderson; great-grandchildren, Jared Boesenberg, Remington Boesenberg, Mason Kelm and Knight Harford; sister, Eleanor Carter of Iowa City; brother, Richard (Colleen) Henderson of Guttenberg; sister-in-law, Dorothy Henderson of Iowa City; niece, LeaAnn (Jim) Thompson; and nephews, John (Abby) Henderson and Jay (Kristy) Henderson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Stella; brothers, Joseph Eugene Henderson (killed at Normandy Landing in France on July 19, 1944) and Robert Henderson; brother-in-law Paul “Nick” Carter; and niece, Patty Hurmence.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Don's name.

Condolences may be made to the family at .