Kathleen "Kathy" Henjum

Kathleen Henjum, 85, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jeff Whillock officiating.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Interment will follow the service at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

Luncheon and fellowship will follow the burial at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred in Kathy’s name for a nursing scholarship. In the memo line, please put: Kathy Henjum Scholarship. Checks can be mailed to:

Northern State University Foundation

620 15th Ave SE

Aberdeen, SD 57401

Donations can also be made here: Online nursing scholarship. 

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Ave NW, is honored to serve the Henjum family. Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.schrivermemorial.com. Services will be recorded and shared on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

Kathleen Demetrie Kruhaj was born on May 16, 1940, in East Chicago, Indiana, to John and Anne (Grencik) Kruhaj. Kathy received her education in East Chicago. After high school, she attended secretarial school. After a short time in this position, she attended nursing school to fulfill her true passion and became a registered nurse.

Kathy married David Henjum on December 28, 1966, in Indiana. The couple welcomed their first child, Paul, in November 1967 while living there. They later moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota, where their daughter Jill was born in July 1971.

Over the years, Kathy devoted herself to caring for others as a nurse, serving in various roles at Avera St. Luke's, Dakota Midland, the Brown County Health Department, and Aberdeen Health and Rehab.

Her care and compassion for others were evident to all who were fortunate enough to know her. She held a special place in her heart for her four grandchildren, cherishing time spent taking them to the park and proudly supporting them at their many school events and accomplishments.

She was always the proud grandma who loved every holiday, sending them a card with a few dollars to spend.

Grateful for having shared Kathy’s life is her daughter, Jill (Paul) Lang; grandchildren: Aby Lang, Alyson Lang, Kayley (Austin Fisher) Henjum, Mitchell Henjum; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Henjum; niece, Maggie Kruhaj; siblings: Diane (Ron) Spillers, John Kruhaj Jr., Kenny (Linda) Kruhaj, and her favorite side kick, Buddy the cat.

She is preceded in death by her husband, David Henjum; son, Paul Henjum; brother, Gene Kruhaj; her parents, and parents-in-law.