Msgr. Francis C. Henricksen

Monsignor Francis C. Henricksen, 95, a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport, died peacefully, Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2024 at Solon Care Center, Solon, Iowa.

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Msgr. Henricksen will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2024 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 4097 – 18^th Street, Bettendorf. Burial will be in Calvary/St. Irenaeus Cemetery, Clinton, Iowa.  Visitation will be held Thursday from 5:30 until 7 p.m. at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Bettendorf with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will take place Friday at the church from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m.   In lieu of flowers memorials may be St. John Vianney, Bettendorf, St. Mary, Fairfield, Priests’ Aid Society, or The Catholic Messenger.  Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, has been entrusted with arrangements.

Francis C. Henricksen was born on December 16, 1928 in Clinton, a son of Charles and Alice (Doyle) Henricksen. He graduated from St. Mary High School in Clinton in 1946 and attended Clinton Jr. College, Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana before graduating from St. Ambrose College in 1951 with a degree in Philosophy. Msgr. Henricksen completed his theology studies at St. Paul’s Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and was ordained a priest on June 4, 1955 at Sacred Heart Cathedral by Bishop Ralph Hayes.

Monsignor Henricksen's ministry to the Diocese of Davenport spanned almost 69 years.  His first assignment was to St. Mary’s, Fairfield before being named managing editor and then editor of The Catholic Messenger, the newspaper of the Diocese of Davenport, a position he held from 1967 until 2002.  During his time at the Messenger, Msgr. Henricksen also served as chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Davenport, on the faculty at Davenport Assumption High School, and the parishes of St. Mary’s, Davenport, St. Joseph’s, Davenport, and retired as Pastor of St. John Vianney in Bettendorf, on January 15, 1999.  

Monsignor Henricksen's ministry also included serving on many diocesan boards as well as on the Board of Directors of Assumption High School, Genesis Medical Center’s Mercy Foundation, and St. Ambrose College as well as being the Vicar for Clergy and of Religious for many years.

Msgr. Henricksen is survived by a host of nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Loretta Smith, Helen Parson, Virginia Stella, and James Henricksen.  May they rest in peace.