Sally J. Henzl

Sally J. Henzl, 86, passed away peacefully at home August 28, 2025, surrounded by family. She died one year and two days after the love of her life Robert (Bob) Henzl passed away.

On January 1, 1939, Sally was born to Joseph and Sara (Conner) Anderson in Oxford, MS. Sally spent a portion of her early years in Ripley, MS, living with her younger sister Katie and their mother and maternal grandparents. In the summer before Sally entered fifth grade, she, Katie and their mom moved from Ripley to Pewaukee, WI to join Sally's father. Sally remembered being sad to leave behind her beloved grandmother Golden Avis (Arnold) Conner, known to the girls as "Mama Conner." Sally worked to lose her southern accent quickly so she could fit in with kids in Wisconsin. But she ultimately was pleased with the move and thrived in the new setting. Sally was active in drama and forensics at Pewaukee High School and was prom queen in her junior year. She graduated as class salutatorian. In her senior year, Sally was Honored Queen of Job's Daughters, a leadership organization for girls and young women.

Sally attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she earned a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education. She was president of her sorority Gamma Phi Beta. She enjoyed living in Shepard House, a large historic brick home, which was being used as a dormitory. It was at UWM that Sally met Bob. They were married on June 9, 1962 in Pewaukee, and moved to Fort McClellan in Alabama where Bob served two and a half years with the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Sally taught English at a nearby high school until the birth of their first child, Jennifer.

After Bob's service in the Army, the family moved to Racine, WI where Sally and Bob's children Ann-Elise and John were born. Sally became involved in community organizations and politics. She was president of the Junior League, chairperson of the Prairie School auction, active in the campaigns of state Sen. Joe Strohl, and hosted numerous fundraisers for Democratic candidates. She was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in New York City in 1992 and attended President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993.

Sally returned to college in the late 1970s and earned a master's degree in Interpersonal Communication from UWM. She then attended Northwestern University where she was a PhD candidate. She was hired by UWM to teach in the Interpersonal Communication department and taught for 30 years, retiring in 2015. Sally was known for showing scenes from her favorite movies and sharing stories about her family to illustrate the concepts in her lectures.

While she commuted, Sally devoured the Great Courses college classes, studying topics ranging from the Civil War to art history to American literature to the history of religion. A big fan of Elvis Presley, Sally also listened to a lot of Elvis music on those rides to and from work.

Sally was incredibly proud of her kids and supportive of them as they changed majors and careers and moved home for periods of time, sometimes with their pets in tow. She played a special role in the lives of her granddaughters Sadie and Molly and referred to them as her angels. Sally helped take care of them when they were in preschool and kindergarten, setting her teaching schedule so she could watch the girls on the days that Jennifer worked. When Jennifer's first husband Matt became ill and passed away, Sally and Bob grew especially close to their grandkids, helping Jennfier and her family at every turn -- in any way that was needed. Sally delighted in watching Sadie and Molly grow and she adored each moment with them.

In her free time, Sally cherished being up north with her family (including her cats), traveling with Bob to New York City and Washington, D.C., and touring Europe with Bob and close friends. Sally and Bob appreciated the theater and frequented the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada. They were Milwaukee Rep season ticket holders for more than 50 years. Sally enjoyed taking Jennifer and Ann-Elise on road trips as adults to Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana, and visiting John when he lived in California and Mexico. Sally was an avid and speedy reader, especially appreciating mysteries whose protagonists are strong women. She was an expert at crossword puzzles.

Sally will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her love of animals, her intelligence and quick wit, and her care for the community.

Survivors include: Sally's children Jennifer, Ann-Elise and John; granddaughters Sadie, Molly, Natalie, and Adrienne; sister Katie (Anderson) Redfield and brother-in law Jerry Redfield; nieces Sheila Schifano and Monica (Morris) Slate; sister-in-law Grace (Henzl) Trochta; dear friends Jeff Burnett and Kevin Bender; and other relatives and friends. Sally was preceded in death by: her parents, her husband Bob, and her son-in-law Matthew McVey.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials have been suggested to the Wisconsin Humane Society or to a charity of your choice.