Ellen Hennen

Ellen Hennen, age 92, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2024.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, from 10-10:45 am, with a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. Ellen will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.

Ellen was born on April 17, 1932, on Easter Sunday on the family farm in Lydia, MN. She was the fourth child of Emil and Helen (Dubbe) Kohout and attended school through the 8th grade, before returning to work on the family farm. Even as a child, Ellen demonstrated her lifelong trait of resilience, by overcoming a severe bout of polio.

Ellen was married to the love of her life, Richard Hennen, on May 17, 1949. The couple had two children, Lynnette and Leroy, who were raised on the Hennen family farm until 1968. Ellen and Richard later moved to a home they built on 2.5 acres in Prior Lake, where she loved to tend the family’s large garden, which was filled with numerous fruits and vegetables that were later cooked, canned, or often shared with friends and family alike.

Ellen and Richard also loved to travel and see the world, with trips ranging from Las Vegas to Hawaii and Alaska. The couple also loved games of all kinds, from cards to game shows, and especially bingo, for which Ellen was well-known for her truly uncanny luck. Hunting and fishing were also beloved pastimes that often ended in a tasty meal.

In 2009, Ellen and Richard celebrated an amazing milestone of 60 years of marriage. She was an extremely hard worker, taking care of countless duties on the farm. Ellen would also later work at Rosemount Engineering & Control Data Corp., where she helped assemble minute computer parts, while still taking care of numerous duties back home. Yet, after all the hard work, Ellen always made time for her grandchildren, from cooking them meals to weekend sleepovers, and teaching them cards, including poker.

Ellen was an amazing cook, always making sure that people were well fed with a table full of food and that everyone felt comfortable and at home. She so loved to serve and take care of others, that Ellen even insisted on helping with food preparation and cleanup on family holidays, well into her late 80s. She was always on the go and full of life and could never be deterred if Ellen set her mind to something. No matter where she was or what Ellen was doing, she would make friends with whomever happened to be around, always showing genuine care and interest.

Ellen’s family will never forget her selfless love, genuine kindness, and the joy she had for knowing and serving others.

Ellen will be forever missed by her son, LeRoy (Mary) Hennen; daughter, Lynette (Eric) Engbrecht; grandchildren, Stephanie (Mike) Fastrup, Christine (Mark) Chant, Jonathan Engbrecht, Alicia (Chris) Beseres; great grandchildren, Carter Fastrup, Corie Fastrup, Jaden Chant, Devin Chant, Ashlyn Chant, Zoe Beseres; sisters-in-law, Hazel Kohout, Barb Kohout; other relatives and friends.

Ellen is greeted in Heaven by her husband, Dick; parents, Emil and Helen; siblings, Irene (Delbert) Jasmer, Harry (Viola) Kohout, Art Kohout, Roman Kohout, Betty (Norbert) Hennen, Bessie Janousek, Donald (Elaine) Kohout and Ruth Kohout.

Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation proudly served and cared for the Hennen family.