Hennings, Orpha Caroline

Orpha Caroline Hennings has completed her journey here on earth at the age of 100. She passed away Nov. 8, 2011, at her home in Marion, under the wonderful and loving care of her son, Wayne, and the caregivers and nurses from the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at King of Kings Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Mark Halvorson. Visitation will be before the service from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Orpha was born May 14, 1911, in Belle Plaine, Iowa, the daughter of William F. and Mary (Brower) Wentz. She graduated from Belle Plaine High School and, on Feb. 20, 1931, married Arthur H. Henning of Keystone, Iowa. They farmed around the Keystone and Newhall areas until 1949, then moved to Cedar Rapids. They had three children, two daughters, Joyce and Marilyn, and a son, Wayne.

Orpha taught herself to crochet and loved making afghans, table clothes and dollies for the family and friends.

She is survived by a daughter, Marilyn (Neil) Hamilton of Gilbert, Ariz.; a son, Wayne Hennings of Marion; four grandchildren, Deborah (Mike) Gibson, Steven Hamilton, Cathy Kelley and Justin (Melissa) Hennings; seven great-grandchildren, Robert Frondle, Jennifer Ciha (significant other Clif Martin), Erick Schwab (fiancee Stefanie Tamayo), Deric, Julie, Brooke Kelley and Shelby Hamilton and one baby Hennings on the way; and five great-great-grandchildren, Jeremy Ciha, Blake and Courtney Martin, and Spencer and Sofia Schwab.

Orpha was preceded in death by her husband, Art in 1980; a daughter, Joyce in 2003; her parents, William and Mary Wentz; brother, Ernest Wentz; a sister, Elizabeth Bach; and two great-grandchildren, Breanna Ciha and Joey Schwab.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Hennings family.

Please leave a message or tribute to Orpha's family on the Web page,  under Obituaries.

Published Nov. 11, 2011, in The Gazette