Jeffrey Lawrence Henderson, 81, died on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2025, after a prolonged illness. Jeff was born on Dec. 19, 1944 in Burlington. A graduate of Waterford Union High School in 1963, Jeff excelled in sports, with an emphasis in both Football and Track. Post high school, Jeff continued as part of the family tradition and worked in the Grocery industry at Sentry Foods in Burlington as a butcher.
Service was a large part of Jeff’s life. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1964, serving in Wurzburg, Germany, as well as several bases throughout Vietnam. Jeff served his country with honor, earning both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for service to his country. He was discharged in July of 1968, and it was time to take another path.
In June of 1967, Jeff married the former Suzanne Cramer, and their union produced their son, Aaron. As his first son was born, Jeff had begun his career in the newer field of Computer Programmer. He attended one of the first data processing schools in Milwaukee and began a career that lasted until his retirement in 2010.
Jeff went between two different companies in his working life, Rural Mutual Life Insurance Co., and he spent the majority of his time at General Casualty Insurance, beginning when their company was based on Wilson Street in Downtown Madison to the time where their campus was moved out to Sun Prairie.
As family was one of the most important things to Jeff. After his divorce from Suzanne, he married the love of his life, Barbara Gher-Henderson, on Oct. 8, 1983 until her passing in May of 2021. On July 30, 1984, Barb and Jeff welcomed a son, Kyle.
Golf was the other important thing. He had the opportunity to play courses throughout the country from sea to shining sea. Nothing pleased Jeff more than to be out on a golf course with his wife, his sons, and later with their wives as well. He later got to share that gift again with his grandson, as Kelby entered the world on January 3, 2014.
Jeff is survived by his sons, Aaron (Michele) Henderson of Stuart, Florida, and Kyle (Elizabeth) Henderson of Waunakee; grandchild Kelby and five sisters. He will also be dearly missed by his extended family of brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and their respective families.
Jeff was preceded in death by his wife Barbara; parents Virginia and Raymond Henderson; brothers Howard and Raymond Henderson; two sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law and his ex-wife Suzanne.
Services were held at Peace Lutheran Church in Waunakee on Jan. 19, 2026. Military honors were held after the funeral service, and then a luncheon was served inside Peace Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Jeff’s name to Badger Honor Flight.
Cress Funeral Home in Waunakee is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.cressfuneralservice.com.