Victoria Hennum

Victoria Jean Hennum (Tarnowski), 94, of Duluth, died on March 11, 2014. Vicki was born on December 6, 1919 in Gnesen Township 12 miles north of Duluth. She grew up with eight brothers and sisters and her parents Paul and Rose (Mosiniak) Tarnowski. Their property adjoined Schultz Lake where the family enjoyed skating and swimming at the lake home she enjoyed throughout her life. She attended Gnesen Elementary School, Duluth Central High School, and the Duluth School of Cosmetology. Her talent as a hairdresser followed her life with devoted customers, relatives and neighbors.

Vicki married Arthur L. Hennum in 1943 - they made their home in the Woodland neighborhood in Duluth, attended St. John’s Church and raised four children. John (Debra Serum), Thomas (Mary Lenhardt), Claudia (Guy Coil), and Paul (Roberta Loeffler). The family camped, fished, hunted, enjoyed the North Shore and every part of Northern Minnesota. While cherishing her Polish heritage, she confidently adopted her husband. Art's Norwegian traditions and became expert at creating every recipe from lutefisk to Sunbackles.

Vicki was active in all projects of St. John's Church, committees, bazaars, scouting, and cooking. This work extended to her family life where she helped and brought meals to elderly neighbors who relied on her support Vicki and Art - partners and best friends were surrounded by an active social group of friends and relatives. After retirement, they became winter residents of Arizona, volunteered at The Depot, remained involved in St John's, hunted, fished, golfed and enjoyed so many friends as they watched their family grow to seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Vicki volunteered at the Benedictine Heath Center for over 20 years and participated in the care of Art there until his death in 1996. Her life was one of service to others.

Vicki loved to meet new people and enjoyed finding connections of so many to her life. She continued to find new friends wherever she lived and returned to the Benedictine Health Center where she received the care and sense of community she loved. She had a surprising wit that found a smile on everyone she met, loved to tell jokes and stories of growing up in Minnesota.

Vicki was preceded in death by her husband Arthur, son John (2009) , daughter-in-law Mary Lenhardt (2013), her parents, and seven brothers and sisters. She is survived by her brother R. Paul (Hope) Tarnowski, daughter, sons, nieces and nephews. Memorials are preferred to St. John’s Church or the Benedictine Health Center Activities Department.

VISITATION: 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, Saturday, March 22, 2013 at St. John’s Catholic Church, 3 West Chisholm Street. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555.