Jack Henry

Eagle Grove – Jack William Henry, 86, of Eagle Grove, passed away on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at his home in Eagle Grove, Iowa.

Funeral services for Jack Henry were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 615 South West 2nd Street, in Eagle Grove, with Pastor Jason Cooper officiating.

Visitation was held from 1 – 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023 Bower Masonic Lodge #464, 1298 South Commercial Avenue in Eagle Grove, Iowa. Masonic Funeral Rites were held at 3 p.m. on Sunday following the visitation at the Lodge.

Jack William Henry was born Aug. 1, 1937 to Jack Percival “J.P.” and Mildred Mae (Williams) Henry, in Charles City, Iowa. He was raised alongside his older sister, Phyllis Jean, and the family later moved to Waterloo, where Jack graduated from East Waterloo High School with the Class of 1956. During his school years, he was active in Boy Scouts, wrestling, playing football, and in the band, where he served as conductor.

Following high school, Jack attended and graduated from Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois where he majored in business and minored in chemistry. He was a member of TKE (Tau Kappa Epsilon) Fraternity. Following his graduation from college, Jack moved to Eagle Grove, following his parents, who had moved there after he had graduated from high school.

While living in Eagle Grove, Jack met Erin Marie Tegland at the Past Time Lounge. The couple were married on April 24, 1965. To this union, children Lynn, Janet and Bryce were born.

Jack worked for Sadler Construction and Iowa Testing Laboratories, Inc. upon moving to Eagle Grove. He later moved to full time status at ITL as vice president and then on to president until his retirement in 2003. In his retirement years, he drove for P.T.I. and Rail Crew Xpress until the time of his passing.

Jack was an avid outdoorsman. While growing up he spent many vacations fishing and camping at Rainy Lake, MN with his family and cousins. For the last 55 years summer weekends were spent at Clear Lake, IA creating wonderful memories with his extended family and friends through boating and entertaining. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a strong supporter of the community of Eagle Grove, Eagle Grove sports, and attending years of ISU football games with family and friends. Jack also loved building and fixing things for around the house, for work, and for friends.

Jack grew up Methodist, but joined the United Church of Christ when he and Erin were married. The past 30 years, he has been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove.

Jack belonged to the Eagle Grove Jaycees, the Lions Club, and the Eagle Grove Chamber of Commerce, along with a variety of professional organizations in the fields of science and agriculture. Most notably, Jack was a proud 63 year member of Bower Masonic Lodge #464 in Eagle Grove, and was a proud Shriner with the El Kahir Shrine in Iowa for many years.

Jack will be lovingly remembered for his sense of humor, words of wisdom, and love for his family. He had a wealth of knowledge of family history and the industry of his profession. Jack always had a positive and charismatic attitude. He never met a person he didn’t like and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He had a knack for fixing and building things for the benefit of others and the efficiency of a process. Jack will most notably be remembered around the community for his love of station wagons.

Jack is survived by his children: Lynn Zabel of Kanawha, Janet (Tim) Miller of Clear Lake and Bryce (Kati) Henry of Mankato; his grandchildren: Jade Zabel, Katie (Justin) Balk, Seth Zabel, Aiden Miller, Breck Miller, Bria Henry, and Asher Henry; his great-grandchildren Jayse Zabel, twins Barrett and Blake Zabel, Codie and Payten Balk; his niece Susi Watts Kerr of Saratoga Springs, New York; along with many cousins, extended family and friends.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Phyllis Jean Watts; his nephew, Greg Watts; and Erin Tegland.

In lieu of flowers and other customary remembrances, please consider directing memorial contributions to one of the following:
Eagle Grove Announcement Sign
Please make checks payable to Eagle Grove School Foundation. Mail to: Mike Ryerson 521 South Commercial, Eagle Grove, IA 50533
Or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital
Please make checks payable to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. Mail to: Shriners Children’s Twin Cities 215 Radio Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125