Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate the life of Henry H. Ladehoff, 94, a resident of Davenport will be 1 p.m. Saturday, March 13 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport. Interment will be at Memorial Park in Davenport.
Visitation is Saturday from 10:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home. Mr. Ladehoff died peacefully Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf.
Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Cathedral, 422 E. 10th St., Davenport, IA 52803.
Henry was born April 11, 1915 on the family farm in Walcott, the son of Arnold Paul and Olga Hilda (Mumm) Ladehoff. He grew up in the Walcott area, attended Cleona Township grade school and Davenport High School. He was united in marriage to Laura Elizabeth DePaepe on June 7, 1947 at St. Mary’s Church in Rock Island, Ill. Henry and Laura enjoyed celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary at a gathering for family and friends in 2007.
Henry served proudly in the U.S. Army from 1941 through 1945, achieving the rank of sergeant. He was stationed at Camp Shelby, Miss. for induction, sent for desert training in Arizona, maneuvers in New Orleans, additional training in Africa, and he saw active war effort in four major battles during a march through Italy in WWII. During his service he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Known for his humility, he was hesitant to accept the Purple Heart as he didn’t think he was hurt badly enough to have earned that recognition. Henry enjoyed many annual reunions with his army buddies and maintained contact with a small circle of those friends.
Mr. Ladehoff was a 56 year member of the American Legion. He was also affiliated with the Moose, CASI and Plus60 organizations and frequently volunteered efforts in support of Sacred Heart Church and their food pantry.
Henry retired from International Harvester Company in East Moline, Ill. in 1975, after working 35 years assembling, inspecting and repairing combines. He instilled a strong work ethic in his children and will always be remembered as a devoted husband, dad, grandfather, brother, uncle and neighbor.
With farming as a passion during his youth, Mr. Ladehoff was the Scott County Corn Husking Champion in 1938. In later years, he was an avid gardener and his seven foot tall tomato plants were the envy of the neighborhood. With folding chairs always in the trunk, Henry and Laura were ardent fans for virtually every sporting event in which their children and grandchildren were involved. Henry’s memory could recall the finest details of every game, every inning and every play. He took great pride in his offspring’s academic and athletic success.
In later years, Henry cheered on the beleaguered Chicago Cubs and enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. Most of all, he loved being surrounded by family.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years Laura Elizabeth and their three children and spouses; Del (Nancy) Ladehoff , Patricia (Richard) Meredith all of Davenport, and Betty (Robert) McPhilimy, Lake Forest, Ill.; grandchildren Dan (Sloane) Ladehoff, Judi Ladehoff, Kirsten (Brad) Schneider, Scott (Shelby) Meredith, Angela Meredith and Megan McPhilimy; great-grandchildren Brock and Cade Ladehoff, Nathan and Luke Schneider; and many dear step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, one step-great-great-grandchild, a brother Larry (Kay) Ladehoff, of Palos Hills, Ill., as well as 20 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Olga Ladehoff, sisters Ida Hartsock and Ella Ladehoff, and brothers Rudy, Alfred, and Vernon Ladehoff. May they rest in peace.
Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed by visiting Henry’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
