White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Marcia J. Henderson, 70 years old, of rural Independence, Iowa, died at her home on Sunday, January 5, 2020.  She was born in Independence on September 19, 1949, the daughter of Dr. Robert James and Alice Marjorie (Campbell) Henderson.  She graduated from high school in Independence with the Class of 1968.  She earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and then, a master’s degree in outdoor recreation and biology from the University of Iowa in Iowa City.  She was an activities specialist at the Cromwell Unit of the Mental Health Institute in Independence for 32 years before retiring in 2005.  She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Independence where she served as a Deacon and loved to give the children’s sermon.  She loved to garden and fish, and anything with a “ball”; softball, football, baseball, pool, golf, and volleyball.

Through her work at the Cromwell Unit, “Missy Hendy” earned the respect of the kids and her co-workers over the years she was there.  She never had children of her own, but helped raise hundreds.  She liked to say, “If I didn’t have a good time, it was my own fault.”  She never met a stranger; just like her father.  She loved to make people happy, and like her mother, she was always loving, and giving.  She was the first female fire fighter at the M.H.I.  She was the founder of the Wingnuts organization, which will live on for many years to come.

She leaves behind her beloved pontoon with which she taught countless kids how to drive.  It was one of the first pontoons on the river.  Friends used to call her to see what the river was doing “according to the stick” which was much more accurate than the gauges downtown.

Marcia also had many 4 legged fur babies over the years.  Someone once stated that when they died, they wanted to come back as one of Marcia’s dogs or cats.  Her feathered friends were also important.  She fed them and loved them every day.  She should have owned stock in bird seed, grape jelly, and peanut companies.  She was a true nature lover.

Marcia is survived by her wife, Deb, her sister, Linda Hearn of Independence, her nieces and nephews, Laura, Rachel, Robert, and Stacy, and her great nieces and nephews, Ally, Grace, Lexi, Nick, Emily, Gretchen, Maggie, Mercedes, Danielle, Jacklynn, Hayleigh, Shelbi, Blake, Brent, Lauryn, and Daniel; and 1 sister-in-law, Lisa Buck of Independence.  She is also survived by her dog, Annie, and her cats, Pete and Wendling.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 brother, Larry Henderson, 1 niece, Kathy Eschen, 1 brother-in-law, Doug Hearn and many aunts and uncles.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at the First Presbyterian Church in Independence with Rev. John Hougen officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery at a later date.  Friends may call for visitation from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10^th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence.  Casual or Chicago Cubs attire is encouraged.

Fellowship at the Okoboji Bar and Grill in Independence will follow the service on Saturday.  Memorials may be given to Cedar Valley Hospice, the First Presbyterian Church, and the Wildthunder W.A.R.