Henry Edward Twiehaus

Henry Edward Twiehaus of Sibley passed away on September 26, 2024 surrounded by love.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Mary Twiehaus, and daughter, Marcia. 

He is survived by his wife, Corrine, of the home; daughter, Christine (Albert); son, Kurt (Emily); 8 grandchildren; Megan Niederhelm (Daulton), Allison Meyer (Cody), Kristin Rieke, Jeralyn Twiehaus, Emma Rieke, Makenna Twiehaus, Bethany Twiehaus, and Adam Twiehaus; 3 great-grandchildren; EmmyLou Niederhelm, WrenLee Niederhelm, and Baby Boy Meyer; and sister, MaryAnn (Tom) Rebholz.

Henry was born on September 18, 1946 to Elmer and Mary (Moore) Twiehaus. At the time, they lived on a dairy farm located south of 40 Hwy on Noland Road in Independence. Henry was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Independence, Missouri. In 1963, when Henry was a junior in high school, Elmer and Mary moved their family along with their parents, Henry H. and Annie Twiehaus, to a new farm on Murphy School Road north of Grain Valley, Missouri. He graduated from Grain Valley High School in May 1964. The family became members of Ebenezer United Church of Christ in Levasy. 

While attending youth fellowship activities, Henry met Corrine Ethel Dieckmann, daughter of Martin C. and Ethel Dieckmann. They enjoyed attending their proms and watching Elvis Presley movies. After high school, Henry attended trade school studying diesel mechanics.

On April 4, 1968, Henry enlisted in the United States Army. He went to boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and then was sent to Fort Rucker, Alabama to be trained as a helicopter mechanic. In October of that same year, he was sent to Vietnam and served in the war until April 1970. Henry was stationed near Quan Loi and he worked with a maintenance crew on Huey (UH1H) helicopters. 

While in Vietnam, Corrine sent Henry a Christmas card and he wrote back. They began to write back and forth regularly. In mid-October, Henry re-upped for another six months in Vietnam but spent a month of R&R back home. During this time, Henry and Corrine dated and when he returned to Vietnam, they were engaged. Wedding plans for a June 1970 wedding were made through the mail. The date was moved up when it was decided Henry would need to report to Fort Riley, Kansas by mid May. On May 2, 1970, they were married at Ebenezer United Church of Christ in Levasy. Henry was a forward observer for the artillery and went to Germany for a month on a war games mission. Henry was honorably discharged in March 1971.

Henry and Corrine moved to Sibley, Missouri and lived on Henry’s uncle’s farm and welcomed Christine in March of 1971, Marcia in May of 1974, and Kurt in April 1979. Marcia later passed away in August of 1979.

The years were busy with farming, raising cattle, and running a hog operation. The kids stayed busy with Sunday school, youth fellowship, school activities, and 4-H and Henry and Corrine served as 4-H leaders. Henry was on the board of the Soil and Water Conservation Department, a member of the Buckner VFW, and served on the board of the Jackson County 4-H Foundation. 

He enjoyed many years working alongside his dad on the farm and continued the tradition for Christine and Kurt’s families. He loved to make his grandchildren chuckle and said a lot with just his smile. Henry and Corrine celebrated 54 years of marriage in May. 

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Ebenezer United Church of Christ, 206 Old West Lexington Rd., Levasy, MO, 64066 from 1-3 pm followed by a funeral at 3 pm. Interment will be in the Ebenezer United Church of Christ Cemetery. Memorial contributions suggested to the VFW Post 8101 in Buckner, Missouri. Memories of Henry and condolences for his family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our Facebook Page. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. 2nd St., Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524.