A visitation will be held Friday, July 30 from 4-6 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel at 801 19th Street, West Des Moines, IA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jenny’s name to Animal Rescue, John Stoddard Cancer Center, or your favorite charity.
Born and raised in West Des Moines, graduate of Valley High School, Jenny loved thrift shopping, kimonos (A girl can’t have too many!), dressing people outside their comfort zone, pedicures, sugary treats (Yes please!), funny face photos, hats/tiaras, tea parties, cheese parties, jewelry parties, cribbage, being complimented (You go on!), complimenting other people, Maxie’s restaurant, and Dairy Queen crunch coat.
Her infectious giggle, deadpan humor, bad jokes, amazing smile, and ability to laugh at herself brought joy to everyone she met. She was amazingly adept at leveraging friends’ skill sets that were different than her own. Technology and clutter were her nemeses and making lists of chores for her friends was a favorite past-time as well as tasting something off of everyone else’s plates.
Jenny spent many years as a top-notch server for area restaurants including the Des Moines Art Center and Tallys. Woe was the friend that inadvertently undertipped. Seeking deeper meaning in her life, Jenny graduated from Upper Iowa University and began working in Human Services roles assisting the disabled and empowering families who faced challenges.
Creativity poured from her in an asymmetric force so strong that she developed The Jenny Store. Her jewelry creations were prized works of art and every piece came with a 10-minute dissertation on the history of the materials or the inspiration behind it. She loved hosting shows and lifting up other artists and small business owners.
Jenny had a deep connection with God, and described herself as not religious and very spiritual. She made time for God every day, reading her devotional Jesus Calling and sharing the messages with family and friends.
Jenny is survived by her siblings: Jay (Helen) Henderson, Dee Henderson Hake, Dave (Christy) Henderson, Kris (Dan) Fritch and Karen Henderson. Jenny is also survived by her best friend of 48 years Ann Riceman Stough and her beloved nieces and nephews: JD Henderson, David Henderson, Kristy (Travis) Wessels, Kasey Henderson, Sierra (Kellen Niemeier) Hake, Haley (Neil) Keifer, Cassidy (Adam) Purdy, Bethany (Kirk) Ford, Chuck Gaglione, Kelly Gaglione, Jay Gaglione, Emily (Mike) Marchand, Hannah (Nick) Glenn, Naomi (Jeremy) Kunkle. Great nieces and nephews: Neve and Connell Keifer, Ava and Xena Wessels, Judah Purdy, Christian, Judah, Aurelia, Jean-Baptiste, Seraphine, and Yishai Marchand, Walter Glenn, Evangeline, Adeline, and Quinn Kunkle. Beloved furbaby Clarence (Bubba) Henderson.
Jenny cherished being “Aunt Jenny” to the children of her friends and maintained connections with the children into adulthood. Ali (Alex) Ernst, Andy (Sara) Thomas, Asa, Lexi, Livvy, Ayanna Ferrell and many others.
Jenny is preceded in death by her father, Jay Henderson, mother, Delores Borsvold Johnson, step-father Robert Johnson, and furbabies Liza and Henry.
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