Ferdinand E. Henze

Ferdinand E. (Bud) Henze, age 90, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, in Aplington, Iowa. Bud was born on August 15, 1933, the son of Ferdinand L. and Augusta (Ascher) Henze. He was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Grundy Center, Iowa. Bud was baptized on October 3, 1933, at the Salem Lutheran Church. He graduated from the eighth grade in 1948 from Colfax number 1 school. On March 20, 1948, he was Champion Speller of the Des Moines Register Spelling Bee. Bud graduated from Grundy Center High School in May of 1952. He served in the United States Army for two years. Bud married Gloria Thesing at the Lutheran Church in Reinbeck, Iowa. They were married for over 50 years, before her passing in 2019. Bud was a lifetime farmer. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and looking for good restaurants.

He is survived by his children Steve (Michele) Henze of Dike, IA, and Joan (Russell) Meester of Holland, IA; his grandchildren Emma, Krystal, and Owen; sisters Theone Andreessen and Erma Henze; his sister-in-law Carolyn Thesing; and many nieces and nephews.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his sister Lillian, his brother Art, and sister-in-law Marilee Henze, his brother-in-law’s Chuck Thesing and Marlin Andreessen.