10/07/2026
We are saddened to learn of John's passing. He served his community well and we will always be grateful for his time, vision, and commitment to the Free Clinic.
John Henningsen
Age 88, of Rice Lake, WI, was called to his heavenly home on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
He lived a full life of service, family and community. John was born on November 12, 1937 in Famington, MN. As the son of a Lutheran Pastor, he grew up in several small towns in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and New York. He graduated from Hartwick High School in 1955 where he was a 3 star athlete in his class of 7 students. He attended his Dad’s Alma Mater, Dana College, in Blair Nebraska where he was a member of the choir and on the tennis team. He was accepted into medical school at the University of Nebraska after 3 years at Dana.
While in Medical school, John met JoAnn in Omaha where she worked as an RN at the University of Nebraska Hospital. Together they lived 64 years of a God filled life of service to the church and community , while raising 3 children. After graduation, John spent a year in a family practice internship in Sioux Falls, SD and then entered the public health service where he served as a surgeon in the Medical Corps at a federal prison in Springfield, Missouri.
In 1965 they moved to Rice Lake where John became a partner in a family practice clinic with three other doctors. Later this clinic became Indianhead Medical Clinic and then Marshfield Clinic. John particularly enjoyed teaching medical students in the preceptorship program through the University of Wisconsin as well as working with his geriatric patients. He was instrumental in the development and growth of the Rice Lake Free Clinic, Paramedic Emergency Program, a satellite clinic in Bruce, WI and served as medical director and consultant for several local entities. He shared his time and medical skills with others on his volunteer trips to Appalachia, Siberia, Kazakhstan, St. Lucia, Tanzania, Belize and India.
John was a member of First Lutheran Church of Rice Lake where he served as President, Treasurer and Sunday School Teacher. He sang in the choir and served on various committees over the years. He enjoyed his work with the establishment and growth of the church endowment fund.
John had many joys in life including hunting, fishing, golf, reading and music. He loved spending time on his tree farm where he left a legacy of conservation for his family for many years to come.
John is survived by his wife, JoAnn, his children Dave (Tina) Henningsen, Sue (Mark) Kiehn, and Tom (Edel) Henningsen, 9 grandchildren, Luke, Sam, Johnny, Becca, Gabe, Jonah, Anna, Marie, Liam and 2 great grandchildren, Emerick and Wesley. He will be missed by his twin sisters Ruth Larsen and Lois Rode as well as many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his father,Thorvald, his mother, Anna and his brother, David.
Funeral Services will be held at 10AM Monday, October 19, 2026 at the First Lutheran Church in Rice Lake, Rev. Jon Cluppert officiating, with interment in the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI at 1PM. Visitation will be held from 3-5PM Sunday, October 18 at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, Wisconsin and for one hour prior to the Funeral Service at the Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to Rice Lake Free Clinic, Rice Lake Library or First Lutheran Church and Preschool of Rice Lake.
