Age 94, of Eagan Formerly of Owatonna Died Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, after a short illness. Born Feb. 23, 1921, in Richmond, Minn., Sy was the youngest of eight children of Lambert and Katherine Hennes, who operated a creamery. He graduated in 1939 from Eden Valley High School and worked on Civilian Conservation Corps projects before enlisting in the Navy in 1942. He served on the USS Franks in the South Pacific during World War II. After his discharge in 1946, he sold advertising for Sports Service in Lincoln, Neb. He became an agent for Monarch Life Insurance and moved to Owatonna in 1948 with his new bride, Irene Herrity. He served stateside in the Navy during the Korean War. Sy retired in 1983 to devote his energy to countless hobbies: refinishing antique furniture found at auctions, golfing, bowling, gardening, selling ads for St. Joseph Church bulletins, dancing polkas, playing cards, doing jigsaw and crossword puzzles, rooting for the Twins and Vikings, taking road trips with Irene, eating at his beloved Elks Club and always enjoying "Miller Time" at 5 o'clock. He served on the Steele County Historical Society board, designed its Village of Yesteryear boardwalk and sold hundreds of boards. He was a gentleman - and a gentle man - in every sense of the word: kind, unflappable and incapable of losing his temper. Most importantly, he was a loving person of deep and abiding faith. Sy was preceded in death by his parents, all seven siblings and a daughter, Teresa. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Irene; sons Doug (Karen) and Greg; daughters Colette (Phil) Ryan and Dr. Jane (Dr. Joe) Willett; grandchildren Angela, Benjamin, Brian, Christopher, Chloe, Katharine, Marcus, Michael, Mitchell, Nathaniel and William; and great-grandchildren Ana, Gabrielle, Gavin and Kadyn. A memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 20 at St. Peter's historic church, Mendota, with visitation 5-7 p.m. Jan. 19 at O'Halloran and Murphy, 575 S. Snelling Ave, St. Paul, and at church one hour before Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Mary's School, Owatonna, and the Teresa Hennes Scholarship at St. Catherine University. 651-698-0796 Published in Pioneer Press from Jan. 12 to |