Cleo L. “Ginger” Henderson, age 101 of Highland, IL, died Sunday, January 21, 2024, at Staunton Health & Rehab, Staunton, IL.
She was born on Wednesday, April 19, 1922, in Dysart, IA, the son/daughter of Fred and Hattie (nee Laws) Meyer.
On Saturday, December 28, 1946, she married Roland Henderson, at Tijuana, Mexico.
Ginger was born in Dysart, Iowa on April 19, 1922. Her family moved to Missouri when she was a year old. They moved to Illinois (Metro St. Louis area) when she was 6. At 14, she and her family moved to East St. Louis. As a young women, she worked as a photographer at Evergreen Gardens in Collinsville, IL; later, at Rugger’s on the Hill in St. Louis; then at Edmond’s Seafood Restaurant in South St. Louis. At age 21, she went to work during WWII at McDonnell Aircraft as an assembler/riveter until the war ended in 1945. She worked for the National Publishing Company until she married in 1946. She spent the next 24 years as a housewife and mother, raising her six children. In 1972, she moved to Highland, working 4 1/2 years at Kuhnen Hardware, and then at Pamida store, both in Highland, IL, retiring in 1984. Ginger enjoyed traveling, square dancing, and singing with a senior group, but her passion was canvas painting. She completed over 50 paintings that she shared with family and friends. She moved to Faith Countryside Apartments in 2006 and enjoyed a long peaceful life with many happy memories. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Survivors include:
Son – David C. (Karen) Henderson, Webster Grove, MO
Daughter – Janet M . Henderson, Highland, IL
Son – Mark A. (Terry) Henderson, Waterloo, IL
Daughter – Mary S. (Rick) Ammann, Highland, IL
Son – Joseph B. (Denise) Henderson, Gulf Breeze, FL
Brother – Fred (Ann) Meyer, Wellsville, KS
Grandchild – Cherie M. Clendenen
Grandchild – Jeremy M. (Spouse-Kim) Kirsch
Grandchild – Crystal (Spouse-Chris Pete) Kirsch
Grandchild – Sam Henderson
Grandchild – Conor Henderson
Grandchild – Elizabeth Henderson
Grandchild – Scott J. (Spouse-Morgan Le Gall) Ammann
Grandchild – Michael J.(Spouse-Amber) Ammann
Grandchild – Joseph B. (Spouse-Randi) Henderson II
Grandchild – Ryan Henderson
Great Grandchild – Jenna Clendenen
Great Grandchild – Lauren Clendenen
Great Grandchild – Avery Henderson
Great Grandchild – Jack Henderson.
She was preceded in death by:
Father – Fred Meyer – Died 1964
Mother – Hattie Meyer, nee Laws – Died 1983
Ex-Husband – Roland Joseph Henderson, Married 12/28/46-divorced 1972-DOD 2008
Daughter – Linda C. Henderson – Died 12/27/2017, Highland, IL
Brother – Ernest Meyer – Died 1991
Sister – Kathy Watkins – Died 2002
Sister – Marion Demboski – Died 12/30/17
Sister – Margaret McAllister-Schipp Died: 5/21/22
Brother – Allen Meyer – Died 1927
Sister – Ruth Meyer – Died 1917
Sister – Doris Moore – Died 1991
Brother – Charles Meyer – Died 2003
Special Friend – Wallace M. Backus – Died 8/15/1987.
Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL.
Private Funeral Service will be on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL.
Interment will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Highland, IL.
Memorial contributions may be made to Highland Lions’ Club.