Muriel Josephine Henderson

Muriel J. Henderson, age 87 of Mankato, died peacefully on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at her home with her family at her side.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 20 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato. Visitation is two hours prior to the service at church. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery-Mankato after the service. Mankato Mortuary is assisting Muriel’s family with arrangements. Memorials are preferred to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Muriel was born March 16, 1931 in Minneapolis to Joseph and Glennie (Fingerson) Jakobe. She graduated from Loyola High School. Muriel married Jerome “Judd” Rykhus in 1959; Judd unexpectedly died in 1967 from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, leaving Muriel with four small children to raise. Muriel later married Earl Henderson and they moved to St. James in 1974, where she resided until she moved back to Mankato in 2002. Muriel helped raise money and awareness for the ALS Association and she participated in the annual walk in Mankato.

Muriel enjoyed the outdoors and being active when she was able. She loved to decorate for holidays, piece together puzzles, play Bingo, catch the sun’s rays, have coffee with friends, and cook and spend time with her family. She will always be remembered for her garlic toast recipe. Muriel was a very independent and strong woman that will be greatly missed.

Muriel is survived by her children: Julie (Scott) Schiller of St. James, Bill (Lori) Rykhus of Faribault, and Jim Rykhus (special friend, Jamie) of Des Moines, IA; grandchildren: Kristy Barnes (special friend, Ryan), Anne Barnes, Missy Schiller, Kelly Schiller, Jessica Schiller, Heather Ferguson, Lacey Ferguson, and Kyler Rykhus; three great-grandchildren; sister, Charlotte (Kit) Carson of St. George, UT; son-in-law, Terry Barnes of Mankato; brother-in-laws, Richard (Gloria) Rykhus of Mankato and Tom (Betty) Rykus of North Mankato; sister-in-law, Marie Hassing of Wells; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Muriel was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Jerome Rykhus and Earl Henderson; daughter, Sue Barnes; three sisters; two brothers; and a brother-in-law.