Vera Rose Henriksen, age 86, of Rice Lake, WI, died Tuesday, March 24, 2026 in Rice Lake, WI.

Vera was born on November 12, 1939 in Lodi, WI to John and Francis (Wipperfurth) Hellenband, where she was the 8th of 10 children followed shortly by her twin sister, Viola. She and her many brothers and sisters grew up in Lodi where she graduated in 1958. It wasn’t long after graduation when she met Renald Henriksen whom she married on April 11, 1959. They began their marriage in Brooklyn where their 5 children were born.

In the early years Vera was a stay at home mom who brought in extra money by doing home daycare for many kids over the years. She was also very involved in cub scouts as a den mother both in Brooklyn and Milton after the family moved there. She also was involved with the PTA in Milton. After a couple more moves they settled in Rice Lake, WI.

After the kids all graduated Vera began working outside of the home and went to work at Woolworths, then Snyder Drug Store, Book World and finally Farm and Fleet and made many good friends along the way. After retirement her greatest joy came from her grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she loved very very much.

Vera was preceded in death by her husband, Renald; a son, Jeffrey; a daughter, Karen; 2 sisters and 3 brothers.

She is survived by a son, Gene; daughter, Randie Sue; son, Bruce (Anne); son-in-law, Chris (Heather); her grandchildren, Jeff (Caitlin), Chris, Katie (Zach), Kim (Kodi), Allie, Eli, Emilie, Aubrey and Joe; great grandchildren; Adaline, Wesley, Charlotte and one on the way in April, that she really wanted to meet; 3 sisters; and a brother.

Last Update: Mar 25, 2026 9:02 am CDT