Charles Wesley Henson

Born November 19, 1950, in Miller, South Dakota, to Dean and Florence (Bute) Henson living in Ree Heights, South Dakota, passed May 4th, 2025, in Scottsbluff, NE.

I attended Spring Hill Country School Gann Valley for Kindergarten then moved to Miller where they were just starting kindergarten, so I went to kindergarten again. Hence, in my opinion, I was the smartest kid in kindergarten! I attended Miller Public Schools through the seventh grade, and then we moved to Highmore and I attended Bramhall Country School for the eighth grade. I was the only eighth grader and the oldest in the school. I attended Highmore High School ninth grade through my first semester of senior year. We moved to Bayard, NE, in 1968, where I finished my senior year graduating with the class of 1969. I was the English Journalism Student of the Year. As one of the reporters I had the comedy corner of the school paper titled “The Tiger Paws”.

In 1976, I rode horseback along with two buddies on the Bicentennial Wagon Train along with 90 other people and 120 animals to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Our job on the trip was Camp Jack. We were responsible for feeding and caring for animals and scouting the camps ahead. The trip took 3 1/2 months, and we met thousands and thousands of people along the way, and the crazy stories of that journey are as many as the people.

Some of my work history was sales, construction, farm and ranch hand. I worked at the Sugar Factory during harvest for years. From agriculture to the production of sugar. Also served as a bartender for 12 years. I was a jack of all trades. Retired and settled in Bayard.

I am survived by brothers David Henson, Brad (Marie) Henson, Ron (Kristen Fox) Henson, sister Patty (Rick) Valentine, daughter Jasmine (Jack) Betters, grandchildren Elijah, Alora, Gage, Brody & Jackson. Aunts Doris Henson and Kay Henson, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

I am preceded in death by my parents, Dean and Florence Henson, brothers Tom Henson and Jeff Henson. Nephew Tanner Henson and niece Shelby Henson. The rest I would tell ya but I’d have to kill ya. I plead the fifth. I am on my next Wagon Train…. Happy Trails.

Graveside services will be at 10:30 am, Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Bayard City Cemetery, Bayard, Nebraska.

Donations can be made to Festival of Hope or the American Legion Post 200, Bayard.