Obituary of Lincoln Raymond Henderson Jr.

LINCOLN RAYMOND HENDERSON, JR.

Lincoln Raymond Henderson, Jr., “Ray,” passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving children February 12, 2024. He is reunited in Heaven with his beloved wife June, his parents, his brother Dave, his sister Jacque, and many other relatives and friends.

Ray was born in Iowa on March 26, 1928, to Lincoln and Bessie Henderson. The family moved to North Minneapolis where Ray met the love of his life, June Iverson. In 1955, Ray and June married and together they raised their five children.

Ray served his country and earned his wings in the Navy at the end of World War II, and never lost a love of planes and aviation. He pursued a career in education, taught in several school districts across Minnesota before settling in Albert Lea where he was the Assistant Superintendent of Schools. Ray loved God and lived his life caring for others, especially the less fortunate. Community service was a hallmark of Ray’s life, and he was an active member of his churches, the Lions Club, YMCA, as well as countless other community activities and initiatives. When he retired to the Rush City area, he served as a Guardian ad Litem and on the Nessel Township Board. Ray supported many causes including memorials to the Tuskegee Airmen, the Women Airforce Service Pilots, the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance and many environmental and charitable causes. He also established a teaching scholarship at the University of Minnesota and was proud to meet with at least one of the recipients.

Ray loved spending time with family at Velvet Beach on Pelican Lake. He enjoyed fishing with June, spending time with friends and watching gorgeous sunsets. Ray loved animals, especially dogs, and he always showered them with special attention when they were around. When Ray and June hosted holiday gatherings his dog(s) and the grand-dogs would gather in joyous pandemonium. He was a proud of his Norwegian heritage and visited the country with his son Paul in 2017. There he was able to meet his distant family and see the towns and farms where his relatives had lived. He enjoyed eating lutefisk and lefsa, kumla, herring, along with “just a taste” of a sweet treat.

Ever the adventurer, Ray went on skydiving jumps at age 90 and 95 and was looking forward to another jump this summer. These jumps were in honor of June. The consummate conversationalist, Ray had an extraordinary memory and recounted stories from his past with remarkable detail. He loved talking about growing up in and around Story City, Iowa, working on the railroad, being a teacher and school administrator, and the volunteer activities he did over the years. Ray will always be remembered for brightening people’s days with his kindness, sense of humor and his love of telling jokes. Ray loved to play golf and was proud to have been an early adopter of jogging in the late 1960s. Ray enjoyed watching sports and was an avid and dedicated supporter of women’s athletics. He often described June’s athletic ability and bemoaned the lack of opportunity she had to play sports growing up.

Ray had a special relationship with each of his children and loved them with an unmatched depth. Ray’s legacy of bringing light to the world will be carried on by his daughter Kris and sons Tim, Tom (Kristen), John (Theresa) and Paul (Kelly). His sense of humor and spirit of adventure will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren Marta (Nagdeep) Giri, Peter (Samantha) Ruohoniemi, Tara and Justin Henderson, Jordan (Ryan) Dexter and Jenna Henderson, and Grace Henderson. And Ray’s great-grandchildren Johann and Owen Giri, Noah Dexter and Baby Boy Dexter will be told stories about Ray and June and jokes just as Grandpa would have wanted. Ray will also be remembered by his surviving siblings, Lindsay, Gwen (Chuck) Schwartz, Jim (Marge) Henderson, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held on June 2nd, 2024 at the House of Hope Lutheran Church, 4800 Boone Avenue North, New Hope, MN 55428. Visitation at 2:00 p.m., Service at 3:00. The service will be live-streamed @  https://www.youtube.com/@houseofhopelutheranchurch3022/streams. Memorials can be sent to House of Hope Lutheran Church.