Eula Virgene Kenney was born to Archie and Martha Kenney on February 1, 1928, in Kearney, Nebraska. In 1940, the family moved to Harvard, Iowa, where they lived until they bought a farm in the New Zion area.
Eula graduated from Corydon high school in 1945, and became a school teacher in a one-room schoolhouse.
On June 1, 1947, she was united in marriage to Harold Wayne Henderson. To this union were born 4 children, Gwenda, Janet, Gary and Bette. The family made their home on a farm east of Corydon, where Eula lived until she moved to Corydon in 2014.
Eula continued to teach school, and worked as a secretary for the Wayne Community School from the late 60s until 1977. Beginning in 1978, Wayne and Eula began to travel. They spent winters in south Texas, and particularly liked the flea market they attended in Canton, Texas. They spent many years buying junk, and selling antiques. Eula had several collections, but she was probably most proud of her pie bird collection.
Wayne and Eula also enjoyed dancing, and if there was music, they would dance. If there wasn't music, Eula would play her organ, which was frequently requested by her grandchildren. Possibly more requested than the organ were her famous chocolate chip cookies, which could always be found in a yellow tub in the freezer in her kitchen. These cookies earned her the nickname, Grandma Cookie. She also loved to paint, and color, and her grandkids and great-grandkids could expect a personalized birthday card in the mail on their day.
She was a lifelong member of Prairie Trails Museum, and was granted a lifetime honorary spot on the board of directors of the museum. She was also a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and was a charter member of the Wayne County Hospital Auxiliary. She was also a member of the Eden Garden Club in Corydon. In 2013, Eula was honored to be named Old Settler of the Year, at Corydon's annual celebration.
She spent her last years at Murphy Place in Corydon, and most recently lived at Homestead Assisted Living, in Chariton.
Eula was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 49 years, Wayne; her daughter, Janet Hansen; her brother, Leland Kenney and his wife Shirley; and a grandson, Terry Harvey. She is survived by her brothers Dean (Doris) Kenney, and Gordon (Shirley) Kenney; her daughter Gwenda (Jim) Baker, son Gary (Susan) Henderson, daughter Bette (Linus) Kuboushek, and son-in-law Alan Hansen, as well as 9 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.
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