Hollis Lenno Mundhenke, 100, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2021. She was a resident of Ignite Medical Resort in Blue Springs, MO. She was born early on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1921, to Melvin and Minnie (Gunderson) Larson at the family farm at Warner, S.D. She was the second born of eight children.
Hollis was a 1939 graduate of Warner High School. She attended college for one year at Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD. She taught rural school for 4 years. In 1944 she ventured out to San Diego with a cousin whose husband was in the Navy there. She was hired by a company that built airplanes during WWII. Her task was to work with a riveter in and out of the back part of the plane becoming one of many “Rosie the Riveters.” When she returned to her home in SD, she went back to college taking secretarial classes. Through the years of raising her children she worked as a secretary at a court house and for a charitable organization.
On a very stormy, snowy afternoon, November 23, 1947 she married Ernest Harold Mundhenke at Zion Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, SD. They lived in Sioux Falls, Watertown, Huron, SD and finally in Sioux City, Iowa, at the time of retirement. Hollis moved to Blue Springs after her husband passed away to be close to the grandchildren. Hollis was a life-long Lutheran and a witness of her faith to many friends and family.
Hollis is survived by her three children, Diane Tauscher and husband, Michael, of Blackfoot, Idaho; Dr. Dean Mundhenke and wife, Beth of Blue Springs, MO; and Dale Mundhenke of Lee’s Summit, MO; grandchildren Paige Mundhenke-Lewis and husband, Matt, of Blue Springs, MO; Dr. Pearce Mundhenke of St. Louis, MO; Dr. Preston Mundhenke of St. Louis, MO; Dr. Michelle Morley and husband, Scott, of Anaconda, MT; and Michael Tauscher of Anaconda, MT; a sister, Myrtis Clark, of Minneapolis,MN; a sister-in-law, Ginger Campos of Euphrata, WA; a sister-in-law, Verla Mundhenke of Houston, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie; her siblings & in-laws, Udell and Millie Larson; Carol and Ray Dunker; Wayne and Doris Larson; Evelyn and Dr. Wayne Kelley; Kenneth and JoAnn Larson; Milton Larson; Rev. Gary Clark; Stan and Darlene Mundhenke; Barbara Mundhenke; Hazel and Lee Workman; and Virgil Mundhenke; niece, Angela Larson and nephew, David Larson.
Her family will receive friends and family from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 22, 2021 at Meyers Funeral Chapel, 1600 W. Main St., Blue Springs, MO. Funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the chapel officiated by Rev. Orin Cummings. Graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD. officiated by Rev. Paul H.W. Rohde. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to NE-SO-DAK Bible Camp (c/o Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota, 2001 S. Summit Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57197-0002). Memories of Hollis and words of comfort for her family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.
My deepest condolences. May her memory be a beautiful blessing to you all.
A great soul has left us and yet lives on in all whose lives she touched. Hollis is fondly remembered as a faithful spouse, mother, grandmother, friend and servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May her soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine upon her. To Diane (Michael), Dean (Beth), and Dale and the rest of the family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort in your loss knowing that your dear Mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother died as she lived believing in the crucified, risen, and resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. She is now with Him and her beloved husband and those who have gone before. God bless!
Diane,
You and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers as you gather to celebrate your Mom’s wonderful life. I have fond memories of spending time with her when she visited you and Michael in Idaho. May God’s peace and love fill your heart as you continue her legacy in your life.
Love,
Margaret and John
Dale and family,
My times with Hollis were few but always special and fun. She loved life and her family. I will cherish our wonderful exchanges and send you all my sympathy and strength
Extending my condolences to Hollis’s family. She will always be remembered as a lovely woman and dear friend of my parents. They met Hollis when she was 18, corresponded and visited one another until my mother’s death. Hollis was so proud of her fine family and deeply trusted in the Lord.
Dean sorry for your lost. Your mother lived a wonderful life.
Dale,
Condolences on the passing of your mother. May God bless you and your family at this time.
Dean: Our sympathies to you and all your family. Your Mom had a long , interesting life. You should be most
proud.
My thoughts and prayers for the family and friends. Holis was an amazing spirit. She will be missed.