Jennifer Henningfeld, 45, died of natural causes at her home on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Born in Racine on Oct. 5, 1969, Jeni was the daughter of James and the late Karen (nee: Kopecky) Chambers. She was united in marriage to the love of her life, Jeffrey Henningfeld, on September 24, 1994 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Racine.
Jeni was a devoted wife and mother. She loved the northwoods, spending weekends and vacations with her family at their log cabin in Tomahawk, WI. Weather permitting, she would be jetting around Lake Alice on her personal watercraft, or sunning and relaxing in her hammock. She enjoyed country music, attending many concerts with her daughter Madison, most recently Fleetwood Mac.
Jeni and her daughter Riley, spent several “pajama” skip days watching movies and just enjoying each other’s company. Jeni was proud of her daughters’ accomplishments, Madison’s acceptance at UW-Madison and Riley earning high honor roll status. She was an avid reader and often stayed awake to finish a best seller. Jeni and Jeff spent many weekends together watching the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers football games, having had an opportunity to attend several. Jeni enjoyed spoiling her two Labrador retrievers, Cooper the lover and Bo, the incessantly misbehaved one. She loved to sing, performed with numerous bands, sang karaoke with her father and usually could be coaxed into an impromptu performance.
She loved to entertain and be the hostess, both professionally and personally. At her mother’s passing, Jeni became the de facto matriarch of the family, offering advice and guidance to family members. She orchestrated many successful family gatherings, especially her annual Christmas Eve parties, where no one ever left hungry and very few left sober. Jeni left her “mark” on everyone she met. She will be deeply missed by us all.
Survivors include her husband, Jeffrey Henningfeld; daughters, Madison Henningfeld and Riley Henningfeld; father, James (Sandra) Chambers; brother Donald (Linda) Chambers; uncle, Brian (Joan) Kopecky, and cousins, Erin Kopecky, Laurel Kopecky, Adam Boney, Ryan (Jamie) Boney and Sara Boney. Jeni is further survived by sisters-in-law, Karen (Tom) Cacciotti and Kristine (Christoph) Reuter; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lyle and Pat Henningfeld, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her mother and special aunt, Susan Boney.
Funeral services for Jeni will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, corner of Erie and Kewaunee Streets, on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 12 o’clock noon with the Rev. Jack Gilbert officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Saturday morning from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to her daughters’ education fund.
The family would like to thank the members of the Caledonia Police Department and Caledonia Fire Department for their concern and support throughout this difficult time.