Genevieve Hollman Henkel was born December 16, 1925, to William Henry Hollman and Catherine Eva Hollander in Loretto, TN. She passed peacefully in her sleep on March 14, 2025, following a brief illness at NHC Columbia.
She was a devout Catholic and a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Loretto, TN. She went all eight years of elementary at Sacred Heart Catholic School. Like so many others during the time she would forego attending high school, instead stayed to help maintain the farm. This was a personal goal she set for herself since she didn’t have the opportunity to go to high school. She worked hard and completed her GED in 1984 at the age of 59. She was subsequently able to become a substitute teacher for Loretto High School and South Lawrence Elementary School. Prior to this, she worked at finishing the inside lids and couches of caskets at two of the local casket factories for eighteen years.
In 1963 while reading the Tennessee Register, she read an article calling for parents to consider adopting children. She felt the calling to pursue adoption and on March 25, 1964 she and her husband Ambrose brought Janice home to make their family complete.
She was a woman of profound faith, finding joy in prayer, strength in scripture, and peace in the promises of eternal life. She shared her faith through kindness by sharing talents by volunteering at her parish. She loved to share in her unyielding trust in God’s plan.
She was an excellent seamstress making clothes for her family and the public, quilts and Barbie doll clothes. She loved to crochet! She had the most beautiful flower gardens and loved to share freshly cut flowers and garden vegetables with family, friends and neighbors. She loved to go fishing with her husband prior to his passing. She loved crossword puzzles, various crafts, writing poems and painting with watercolors. She had a quick wit and enjoyed creating homespun humor.
She was a member of the Sacred Heart Ladies Altar Society. She enjoyed playing Dominoes each Monday with the seniors at Sacred Heart Loretto. Funeral Service will be held Tuesday March 18, 2025 at Loretto Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 10:00 AM. Rev. Delphinus Mutajuka will be officiating. with Burial to follow in Loretto Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday March 17, 2025 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Loretto Memorial Chapel with a Rosary Service at 7:00 PM.
Daughter ~ Janice Marie Henkel Sisters-in-law ~ Margaret Ann Hollman, Catherine Pettus, Barbara Luna (David)
Preceded in death by: Husband ~ Ambrose Leo “Nub” Henkel Infant Son ~ David Gerard Parents ~ William Henry Hollman and Catherine Eva Hollander Brothers ~ Christian J Hollman, Charles Hollman & William Hollman Sisters ~ Monica Hollman, Magdalena Rohling & Eleanora Simbeck
In lieu of flowers make donations to Loretto Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School and make library donations in honor of Genevieve Henkel “Books, Flowers & Gardening”. Loretto Memorial Chapel is in charge of all arrangements.
