Henry Verdell Lind, of Rochester passed away peacefully Saturday January 30, 2021 at the age of 96. Beloved husband of Helen (Guelzow) Lind for 70 years. Loving father of Laura (George) Layton, Nancy (Gary) Lind Krus, and Elizabeth Lind. Cherished grandfather of Cheryl Nystrom, Amanda (Dr. Ryan) Silwanowicz, and Merry Krus, and great-grandfather of Henry, Lucille, and Alice Silwanowicz. Brother of Alice Flynn and Corinne Hutchinson. And uncle of many nieces and nephews. Henry was predeceased by his parents Otto and Clara (Nerison) Lind and siblings Anthony, Merland, and Mergie Lind.
Henry was born on April 14, 1924 in Viroqua, Wisconsin. He graduated from Viroqua High School, class of 1942 and joined the Army Air Corps during WWII, working on radar systems development. After the war, Henry met Helen Guelzow in a Lutheran Student House in Madison, Wisconsin. Henry and Helen married on Sept 2, 1950 in Fort Worth, Texas, where Henry was working as an engineer for Boeing. Henry changed companies to General Motors AC Spark Plug division in 1951 and took his young family first to Milwaukee, and later Racine, Wisconsin. Henry moved his family to Rochester, Michigan in 1971, where they have been part of the community for nearly 50 years. Henry retired from GM in 1986 after 36 years. Henry was known for his kindness. He loved his family and others. Henry served in many roles throughout the years at St. John Lutheran Church, including Secretary, Elder, Stephen Minister, and Usher. Henry could fix anything. He enjoyed working on cars.
Henry will lie in state on Wednesday February 10, 2021 at 10:30am until the time of funeral service at 11am at St. John Lutheran Church, located at 1011 W. University Drive in Rochester, Michigan. Interment will follow at Mt. Avon Cemetery in Rochester. Memorial contributions may be made in Henry’s honor to the St. John Foundation. Envelopes are available at the church.
