Harriet Ann Hengesbach

Our loving, beautiful, and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on February 25, 2026. She was born March 2, 1932, in Westphalia, the daughter of Anthony “Tony” and Matilda (Nurenberg) Thelen.

Harriet was a lifelong and faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She was also active in the Catholic Order of Foresters and Christian Mothers Women’s Guild. Truly the heart of her home, Harriet created a warm and nurturing environment where faith, love, and family came first.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: working on crossword puzzles, relaxing at the family cottage, sipping coffee on her deck, trying her luck at a blackjack table, playing cards with her many “setback” groups, and keeping up with the daily news. Above all, she treasured time spent with her family. Harriet was an enthusiastic fan of University of Notre Dame athletics and enjoyed watching sporting events of all kinds.

On July 26, 1952, she married Robert “Bob” John Hengesbach. Together they shared 60 years of devoted marriage, building a life grounded in love, faith, and unwavering support for their family.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob; her parents; her sister, Bernadine (“Bernie”) Simon; her brother, Donald Thelen; brothers-in-law, Tom Simon and Louis Hengesbach; and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Hengesbach, Sister Angelica (Ruth) Hengesbach, and Rose Marie Hengesbach.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Darrell (Marlene), Duane (Rhonda), Dean (Leanne), Darwin (Lori), Dawn (Ron) Pline, Darren (Melonie), and Dane (Diana); 19 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild, with another on the way; her beloved sister, Mary Ellen (Don) Schneider; sister-in-law, Georgene Thelen; brother-in-law, Theodore "Ted" Hengesbach along with many loving nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Harriet’s 94th birthday at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 2, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with Rev. Eric Weber presiding. The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary’s Funeral Chapel, with the rosary prayed at 1:30 p.m. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff and caregivers of Gunnisonville Meadows Senior Assisted Living and Optimal Care for their compassionate and loving care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Optimal Care or Gunnisonville Meadows Senior Assisted Living in Harriet’s memory.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Lehman Funeral Homes, Portland. Online condolences may be shared at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.

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