Virgil Eugene Henriksen

Virgil Eugene Henriksen, the son of John Gilbert and Laura (Christensen) Henriksen, was born November 2, 1930, on his parents’ farm northwest of Harlan, Iowa and died February 20, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 87 years, 3 months, and 18 days.
When Virgil was 5 years old they moved to his grandfather’s farm northwest of Audubon, Iowa. He was baptized at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church near Jacksonville, Iowa and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. Virgil attended rural school Lincoln #8 through 8th grade then graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1950. During High School he was a member of the F.F.A. and was involved in their many activities.
On August 26, 1951, he was united in marriage to Betty Hindman at the First Methodist Church in Audubon, Iowa. They were blessed with two sons Alan and John. They lived in Omaha, Nebraska while Betty finished her schooling. Virgil was employed at Olsen Tires, Opitz Tires, and later worked for Culligan Soft Water. In 1958 they returned to his grandfather’s farm northwest of Audubon which they later purchased. They grew row crops and raised livestock for many years. Virgil enjoyed gardening and always had a large vegetable garden. They moved into Audubon but Virgil has continued to visit the farm almost every day where he mowed and sprayed weeds.
Virgil was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. They were members of several travel clubs, the Audubon County Travelers, the Family Campers, and the Excel Campers Club. Virgil and Betty enjoyed Square Dancing and doing the Two Step. He loved to farm and spend time with his family, especially his grandson Benjamin.
Preceding him in death was his son Alan Hendriksen, his parents Gilbert and Laura Henriksen; his wife’s parents Glenn and Esther Hindman; and his brother-in-law Willis Stone.
Survivors include his wife Betty Henriksen; his son John and wife JoEllen Henriksen and grandson Benjamin Henriksen all of Audubon, Iowa; his brothers and sisters Lois and husband Clifford Olsen of Spalding, Iowa, Lyle and wife Evelyn Henriksen of Corning, Iowa, Gaylord and wife Mary Henriksen of Afton, Iowa, and Donna Stone of Kent, Washington; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family will meet with friends Sunday afternoon, February 25, 2018, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Doug Opp on Monday morning, February 26, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in the Arlington Heights Cemetery in Audubon. The casket bearers will be David Witt, Brad Hemmingsen, Charles Hansen, Greg Hansen, Dean Lauritsen, and Daren Lauritsen.