Roger A. Henderson

Roger A. Henderson, age 70, born to Bernard and Grace Henderson in Viroqua, WI. on January 15, 1947, died unexpectedly on June 23, 2017. He was the second born in a family of 10 children. He graduated from West Salem School District in 1965, the first class to come out of what was then known as the new high school. Roger worked for Chrysler Corporation in manufacturing for 35 years from early 1967 to 2002.  He started as an hourly employee working his way through the ranks, into management, and then into junior management in Belvidere, Illinois.  In 1983, he was promoted to senior management as the Material Control Superintendent in Warren, Michigan where he directed about 250 salaried and hourly employees. He later went to staff at the Chrysler Corporate Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.  Roger culminated his 35 year career by spending the last 3 ½ years as the Logistics and Material Supply Manager helping to open a new plant in Campo Largo, Brazil and directing his part of the work force in that truck manufacturing setting. After an early retirement and move back to West Salem, Wis., Roger and JoAnn, his wife of 44 years, re-started the painting and remodeling company, Real Estate Facelifters, a company that they established while living in Rockford, Ill. While Roger continued to work in this field, JoAnn started Chalk It Up in 2005.   This business featured teaching supplies and classroom decorations and was incorporated into the existing business. Meanwhile, Roger obtained the necessary training and passed the state tests to become an agent selling life and health as well as property and casualty insurance in 2006 while JoAnn took care of everyday business with the store.  In addition, Roger started farming their 158 acres near West Salem in 2009.  The farm was purchased in May of 1998. Roger worked on this farm while going to high school in West Salem.  JoAnn started up J & R Custom Framing and Gift Shop in a remodeled machine shed on the farm. Roger was proud of his many accomplishments throughout his career and life.  He liked his John Deere tractors and other farm machinery.  He was the first sibling to graduate from college and obtain a master's degree.  He served four years on the West Salem School District School Board of Education from 2004 to 2008 and was a longtime supporter and lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.  Roger enjoyed his many conservative friends and even a few liberal ones. In addition to his wife JoAnn (Gruntzel) Henderson, he is survived by his mother Grace Henderson and his siblings as follows: Ronald (Nancy), Mary (Tom) Phillips, Joann Lord, Janet (Chuck) Schleifer, Kay Bach, Karen (Brian) Harris, John (Jean) Henderson, Jean Johnson, Kimberly (Tom Strangstalien) Henderson. He is also survived by his Father and Mother-in-law Orville and Velma Gruntzel and Brother-in-Laws:  Ronald (Pat) Gruntzel, Terry (Rita) Gruntzel, Leslie (Amy) Gruntzel, Randy Gruntzel, David Gruntzel,  Dale (Vonda) Gruntzel, Mark (Dolce) Gruntzel and many nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his father, Bernard and Brother-in-laws Jerry Gruntzel and Ed Johnson. Visitation will be held on Wednesday July 5, 2017 from 2:00pm to  5:00pm at  Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services; 907 Sand Lake Road  in Onalaska, WI.  There will be a private family burial.  In Lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials are suggested to the Humane Society and the Freedom Honors Flight Program for Veterans. Roger was an Organ Donor.  He would have been very proud to have known that his donation of organs is helping others to live on.