Henry Gale Dethlefsen

Henry Gale Dethlefsen was born on April 6, 1952, in Stockton, California, to Henry Mier Dethlefsen and Lola Louise (Parker) Dethlefsen. He entered into rest on November 6, 2025.

Henry graduated from East Nicolaus High School, Class of 1970. Shortly after, he married the love of his life, Sherry Lynn (Harper), on July 24, 1970. They were high school sweethearts and remained devoted to one another for 55 years. Their love was dedicated, faithful, and genuine, built through shared work, joy, humor, and choosing one another daily. To Henry, Sherry was his partner, his comfort, his laughter, and his heart. And in true Henry fashion, if you asked how he was doing, he'd smile and say, "I don't know - Sherry hasn't told me yet." And truly, where you saw one, you saw the other.

Together, they welcomed three daughters: Tina Gale (Lloyd Taylor), Kimberly Ann (Aaron Cheever), and Amanda Lynn. Henry was "Happa" and "Grandpa" to Amanda Nicole and Shawn (Savannah), and "Great-Grandpa" to Hunter and Nova.

Henry grew up working the land alongside his father and grandfather, farming rice, walnuts, almonds, potatoes, grain, and hay throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He later worked at Yuba Sutter Mobile Home, gaining skills he would carry throughout his life. In the late 1970s, he began working in construction with Dean Webb Construction, where he earned one "atta boy" in all his years there - and that single "atta boy" was a badge of honor. He helped build the home where he and Sherry would spend his last years surrounded by family. He earned his contractor's license in 1990 and engineering license in 1991, and later became self-employed, building and erecting metal buildings for Star Buildings.

Later in life, Henry used those same skills to help place and set the homes for Tina, Kimmie, and Amanda on the family's 20 acres, where he and Sherry also lived. Having his family together on the same land brought him deep pride, peace, and joy - a continuation of the values and traditions passed down in his family.

Henry loved riding motorcycles, racing cars, building parade floats, crafting church centerpieces out of wood, and solving any mechanical puzzle placed in front of him. Some of Henry's best days were spent in the shop with Larry and Mark, leaning over classic cars, sharing stories, turning wrenches, and enjoying the simple blessing of good work and good friends. He was especially known for his Ryobi tool obsession - there isn't much out in his shop that isn't Ryobi green. And when a project was just about finished, he was known to say, "Good enough for who it's for."

He enjoyed camping trips, homemade ice cream, and cheering from the sidelines. His happy place was outside, especially on the patio or under the gum tree at the ranch, surrounded by family, smiling and saying, "This is what it's all about."

Henry raced at Triple M Speedway, where his car proudly carried #70, and he made lifelong friends along the track and in the pits. He also spent time riding motorcycles in Kettleman City, usually on one wheel, not two, adding stories that were told and retold for years.

Henry joined Wheatland Community Fellowship Church of God on February 28, 2016. He loved his church family and served on the church board. He became known as the Candy Man, always handing out Werther's. He prayed before family meals, kept scripture close, and read Bible verses and trivia on his phone - right alongside his favorite solitaire game.

He is survived by his wife, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters Vivian (Mark Patche) and Mary Johnson, and brothers-in-law Terry and Steven Harper, along with many extended family members and dear friends who will miss him greatly.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Amanda Lynn, and his brothers-in-law Mike, George, and Timmy.

Henry lived a life of hard work, faith, family, and deep love. His legacy is held in the hands he helped, the home he built, the land he cared for, and the people who loved him.

And as Henry would say with a smile, "Glad you got to see me."

Service Information

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on November 13th, at Wheatland Community Fellowship, 4753 Wheatland Road, Wheatland, California. Officiant: Pastor John Burns