MARY LOUISE HENDERSON

Mary Lou, a member of a pioneer Fresno family, passed away on January 6, 2014. She was born in Fresno on June 28, 1921, the second of two children born to Carsten and Helene Henningsen. Her paternal grandparents, Anton and Louisa Henningsen, both immigrants from Denmark, settled on a farm in the Fresno Scandinavian Colony in the late 1800's. Mary Lou graduated from Fresno High School in 1939 as the class Valedictorian. She continued on to Fresno State College, and was a member of Delta Kappa Sorority, the Tokalon Honor Society and graduated in 1943 with honors. She married John Schaaf DDS, a Dental Officer assigned to the Navy Dental Corps. At the end of World War II, they returned to Fresno to begin his private dental practice. While busy raising four children, Mary Lou was active in the Candlelight Guild, Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, gave bridge lessons for many of her friends and developed an expert hand at creating lovely sculpted figures and stained glass art objects. She belonged to a "Very Special Bridge Club" meeting every month for 64 years. Mary Lou loved to entertain and everyone looked forward to her annual Christmas Caroling Parties, Easter brunches and "competitive egg hunts"! She purchased one of the first computers to hit the market and loved keeping meticulous records. John passed away in 1980, making Mary Lou a widow of eight years. The next chapter of her life begin in 1988 when she married widower James Henderson, DDS. His wife Patsy Hornbeak, had been her closest friend dating back to early childhood. Mary Lou and Jim enjoyed 25 years together and traveled throughout the world. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Schaaf; grandson, Eric Anderson; and her brother, Carsten Henningsen Jr. Mary Lou is survived by her husband, James; and his two daughters, Joan H. Kaestner and Jill H. Toth; her daughters, Penny Schaaf Crookham, Janette Schaaf Anderson; sons, Steven Schaaf and his wife Catherine, and David Schaaf and his wife Karen. Mary Lou is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at at the Shrine of St. Therese, on Friday, January 10, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer Research; or your favorite Catholic Charity. Our family thanks the Somerford Place for the loving care they all gave our dear sweet "LuLu". Jay Chapel, 1121 Roberts Avenue, Madera, California (559)674-8814