Rex Eugene Hennenfent, 86, of Dubuque died Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at Luther Manor in Dubuque. He was a man who loved his family and dedicated his life to his wife and children.

Visitation will be from 9:30 am until 10:30 am Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Church of the Resurrection. Masks are required, and we ask that you please respect our current social distancing requirements. If you are not feeling well or are unable to attend, we encourage you to visit www.hskfhcares.com to send a message to Rex’s family.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Rex will be 10:30 am Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Church of the Resurrection with Rev. Msgr. James Miller as the Celebrant. Masks are required, and we ask that you please respect our current social distancing requirements. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Dubuque. Military honors will be rendered by the American Legion Post #6 and the Iowa Army National Guard. The mass will be live-streamed on Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home’s Facebook page and will also be available to view later at www.hskfhcares.com.

Rex was born August 9, 1934, in Monmouth, IL, the son of Eugene Joseph and Marie Rhoades Hennenfent. He spent his childhood helping on the farm. He lost his father at age 13. He attended Picayune and South Henderson grade schools, and Monmouth High School. On April 21, 1964, he was united in marriage to Ellen Mary Thibaudeau in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They resided in Glenview, IL  for six years where Rex and Ellen adopted a beautiful baby, Jane Ellen Hennenfent from the Cradle Society, until moving to Dubuque. The Cradle Society called Rex and Ellen again with a beautiful handsome baby boy, Thomas James Hennenfent, a brother for Jane.

He graduated from Iowa State University in 1956 and served two years as an officer in the US Army Artillery, serving a post war tour in Korea. He also served in the U.S. Army reserves for several years.  He was employed by Pioneer Central Division of Bendix Aviation in Davenport, Iowa, by Container Corporation of America in Research and Development and new product marketing in Chicago for six years, during which time he met his lovely wife, a TWA flight attendant while flying over Notre Dame. He worked for Packaging Corporation of America in Corporate Sales. He then was hired for a Sales Manager position for Dekalb Toy Co. before moving to Dubuque in 1970 as President of Henneco, Inc. for 15 years.

Rex continued to work for Henneco, Inc. the family businesses and care for Jane and Tom while Ellen traveled for W.C.Brown Publishing and Reed Elsivar.

Survivors include his wife, Ellen Mary Hennenfent of Dubuque; two children, Jane Ellen Tyrrell of Chicago and Thomas James Hennenfent of Dubuque; two brothers, Gilbert (Vickie) Hennenfent of Monmouth and Donald (Carmela) Hennenfent; one step-brother, George (Coleen) Owens Jr. of Dallas; two step-sisters, Cathy Owens of CO and Cherrie Owens of CA.

Rex is preceded in death by his father, Eugene Joseph Hennenfent and mother, Marie Hennenfent Owens and step-father, George Owens.

A special thank you to the Hospice of Dubuque team and Diane Eddy for their loving care and support.

Memorials have been established for Hospice of Dubuque and Church of the Resurrection School Capital Campaign.

Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in care of the arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Rex’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.