Michael “Mike” Henningsen
November 14, 1955 - July 14, 2024
Michael “Mike” Henningsen, 68, of Gardnerville, NV was called home to his Father on July 14, 2024. He died peacefully in his home after a battle with metastatic melanoma. He always had a smile on his face and told anyone who asked that he was just so lucky to have had so many blessings in his life. He died, as he lived, with joy in his heart and a love for Jesus that was infectious to all who knew him.
Michael was born on November 14, 1955 in Reno, NV to John and Virginia Henningsen. He grew up on the family dairy farm on Waterloo Lane and was a 1974 graduate of Douglas County High School. He went on to graduate from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo in 1979 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Michael began his career working for General Electric Company. This career brought him to DeKalb, IL where he met and married the love of his life, Barbara in 1983. It also brought him to Holland, MI for the birth of his daughter Sara, and to Fort Wayne, IN for the birth of his son, Jeremy. Michael loved being a father and husband which is what eventually brought him back to Carson Valley. He dreamed of raising his family in the beautiful valley that he had once called home so he took a job in Carson City at Garden America designing sprinkler system parts and moved his family to Gardnerville, NV in 1987. Over the years he worked for several other companies in Nevada including owning his own business, but eventually in a serendipitous turn of events, finished his career again with Bently Nevada a General Electric Company in Minden.
He retired in 2020 with 25+ years of service with GE and 41 years of working as an engineer. Although work was an important part of his life, Michael’s true passions lied in his service to his church and to his community. Michael was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Gardnerville. He served as an elder, church council member, property chair, Stephen Ministries care minister, choir member, and Sunday School teacher, as well as volunteering for many other areas as needed. If there was a need at the church, Mike was always happy to fill it. Michael also dedicated twelve years to serving on the Minden-Gardnerville Sanitation District before running for the town board. He served six years on the Gardnerville Town Board, was a member of Main Street Gardnerville, and was a graduate of Leadership Douglas County. His commitment to community service was also evident through his long-standing involvement as a Scout Master and Assistant Scout Master for over two decades. Additionally, Mike was an active member of the Kiwanis Club, serving as the club’s president for two terms. Michael also served as a trustee for the Douglas County Historical Society putting in hours of time to develop exhibits, create a legacy project, and helped in promoting the overall success of the museum. Michael’s contributions to the community and his dedication to helping others were recognized by many. He will be remembered in the community for his leadership, compassion, and the positive impact he had on the lives of those around him.
Michael is survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara Henningsen, brothers Daniel (Jo) Henningsen of Twin Falls, Idaho, Robert (Susan) Henningsen, Marshall (Mandy) Henningsen, sister, Caroline (Don) Frensdorff, two children, Sara (Jon) McRae, Jeremy (Katie) Henningsen, grandchildren, Madeline McRae, AJ McRae, Jillian McRae, Harper Henningsen, Paxton Henningsen, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Virginia Henningsen.
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on September 21 at 11:00 am. The family has asked that if anyone wishes to honor Mike’s legacy with a monetary donation, please consider Trinity Lutheran Church or Douglas County Historical Society as both places were near and dear to Mike’s heart.
Michael truly loved the Carson Valley community and never met a person he didn’t like. He lived a life of commitment to his faith, a love of service to his community, and unwavering support of his family and friends. His constant positivity and ability to find the good in all situations will always be remembered. Mike will be deeply missed by all who knew him.