Myron "Mike" Henderson

Myron Alden “Mike” Henderson, age 95, of Lake Winona Manor, formerly of Pickwick, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2020.

He was born at home in Ridgeway on June 21, 1925, to Sumner and Ella (Miennert) Henderson, and weighed one pound, eight ounces.  He fit in a cigar box, his head fit in a teacup, and his mother cut his diapers in half and pinned them up over his shoulders.  Because he was so small, they laid him in front of the open oven door of the old cook stove to keep him warm, fed him straight cow’s milk, and his first walking shoes were doll shoes.  Mike attended the Golish Grade School through the eighth grade.

He married Neva Burfeind on May 14, 1949, in Lewiston, MN, who survives, and together they have five children: Kathleen Pyburn, Susan (Steve) Mansfield, Blake (fianceé Judy Wilbright) Henderson, Tracy (Mike) Trocinski, and Lance (Terri Douglas) Henderson.  They have 8 grandchildren: Michael, Trish, Sarah, Matthew, Melissa, Kyle, Shane, and Kayla; 18 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren, with one arriving in November; sisters: Carol Brommerich, Betty Fritz, Janice Fort, Joan (Ron) Fabian, and Sharon Nichols; as well as other relatives and friends.  Mike was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lyle, and a son-in-law: Gary Pyburn.

After they were married, Mike had rheumatic fever, and he and Neva moved to Nebraska, where Kathy was born.  They moved back to Winona to help on the family farm after Mike’s dad had a heart attack.  Later, they moved to Pleasant Valley where Mike and Neva farmed for many years, had their other four children, and raised their family.  In 1969, they moved to Pickwick, and in 1980, there was a huge flood in Pickwick which took their house and land, and they had to start over completely.   Mike was employed with Therns, Madison Silo, and Gorman Foundry, until his retirement.

He was a member of St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pickwick.

Mike and Neva did craft sales and flea markets for 16 years and made many new friends.  Dad made decorations out of barn board and many bright wooden flowers and “ugly” birds.  His passions in life were reading and fishing, and he could always find the perfect fishing hole.  Mike would always have a smile, and his reply to anyone who asked how he was doing, “Oh, I’m overworked!” and then he would laugh.

He was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, and brother, who will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.

A public visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until 11 AM on Saturday, October 24, 2020, at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pickwick.  A private family service will follow at the church, with Pastor James Nelson officiating.   A public committal service will be held at approximately 12 PM on Saturday, October 24, 2020, at Bush Cemetery in Ridgeway.  Those attending will be required to wear a mask, and to follow social distancing guidelines.  Due to COVID restrictions, there will not be a luncheon.

Pallbearers will be Mike’s grandchildren.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Mike’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com, and a video stream of the service may be viewed on Mike’s tribute page when it is available.

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.