Rebecca Henry

Rebecca Ousley Henry, 55, Mankato, died Sunday, February 14, 2016, from complications related to lymphoma.

Visitation is from 5-7p.m., Friday, March 18, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church, Mankato. A Memorial service will take place 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the church.

Rebecca was born September 1, 1960, in Marshfield, WI, to Joseph and Mary Ousley. She graduated from Marshfield High School having enthusiastically participated in both musical and athletic activities.  A track record of hers from 1978 still stands.  She continued her studies at the University of Minnesota and Yale University, where she taught briefly.  Her career in clinical nursing took her to hospitals in Hanover, New Hampshire; Bangor, Maine; and Mankato. She melded the advances in medical science with a deft personal touch.  She never forgot that she became a nurse to care for others. Her husband describes her as “tenaciously compassionate.”  Family and friends were vitally important to her.  She did her utmost to nurture and maintain relationships with both groups throughout her life.

Rebecca had a zeal about learning and seeking new experiences.  As a young woman she biked the whole of Newfoundland, and explored Europe.  She also worked hard to keep herself knowledgeable of current practices in nursing.

Rebecca loved to sing. Wherever she went, she joined choral groups and church choirs. In fact, that's how she and Hugh met.  They were married in 1994 and have two wonderfully brave daughters, Emma (19) and Grace (15).  They were the center of her life. 

Rebecca is preceded in death by her father, Dr. Joseph Ousley, and nephew Andre. In addition to her husband and daughters, she is survived by her mother Mary Ousley of Marshfield, WI; sisters, Susan Ousley of Washington, D.C., Sarah Ousley Will (Charles) of Andover, N.H., Mary Ann DeVries of Madison, WI; and brothers, Joseph Ousley, Jr. (Nancy) of Stillwater, MN and Paul Ousley (Melissa) of Northfield, MN. She is greatly loved by nieces and nephews and admired and revered by colleagues and a great many friends.  She will be missed.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Mayo Clinic Health System Mankato Nursing Education Fund.