Willis H. Hennecke

Lodi, CA

July 11, 1922 - October 3, 2006

Willis H. Hennecke of Lodi, passed away in Lodi on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at the age of 84. Mr. Hennecke was born in Rural Java, South Dakota on July 11, 1922, son of Peter and Olga Hennecke. He spent his early childhood in Bowdle, SD and moved to Lodi with his family on October 24, 1935. He graduated from Lodi High in 1941 and was inducted into the Army with Battery F 143rd Artillery of Lodi. After returning to Lodi after WWII, he rejoined the National Guard and was the Unit Administrator until 1982 when he retired. He was married to Irene Erfle in 1948 until her passing in 2005. He had lived in Lodi for 71 years and was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, the American Legion Post # 22 and I.O.O.F. He is survived by his daughter, Janice R. (husband, Nick) Galanos of Stockton and son, Scott (wife, Susie) Hennecke of Lodi; three grandchildren, Brad (Watt), (wife, Blake) Eilert , Grant Hennecke and Noah Hennecke; two great-grandchildren, Riley and Jake Eilert; two brothers, Norman (wife, Helen) Hennecke of Sacramento and Leo (wife, Betty) Hennecke of Galt. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Hennecke on August 6, 2005, brother, Red Hennecke and two sisters, Vina Dokey and Amanda Willingham. Friends are invited to visit Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Lodi Funeral Home. Services will be held Monday, October 9, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Lodi Funeral Home. Committal will immediately follow at Cherokee Memorial Park. A virtual register book may be signed at www.lodifuneralhome.com where memories can be shared. Lodi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, family has requested that memorial remembrances be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 701 S. Pleasant Avenue, Lodi, CA, 95240.