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Jennifer Lynne Henage, 49

It is with sadness that we note the passing of our daughter, Jennifer Lynne Henage. Jennifer died unexpectedly of natural causes on Dec. 29, 2016, at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Jennifer entered our lives on Feb. 1, 1967, in Provo, Utah. Before she graduated from Frankfurt American High School in Germany in 1985, she lived and attended schools not only in the U.S., but in other schools in Germany and Australia. By 1990 Jennifer was a graduate of the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Arts degree in German and political science. One of her fondest memories and experiences included one year as an exchange student at the University of Trier in Germany. Considering a change in her work life, Jennifer also earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice at North Idaho College.

For 24 years Jennifer worked at North Idaho College. Her work became her passion. In 1994, she began working in the Admissions Office; she transferred to her current job, becoming a coordinator of Career Technical Student Support Services (CTE). As described by North Idaho College (NIC) staff, she “was a tireless promoter of student success.” “Jennifer was consistently concerned about students’ ability to pay for their education, and was never hesitant to seek out all sources of funding on behalf of CTE students.”

She was highly respected by her supervisors and co-workers and was known for providing honest and well-reasoned input. Perhaps more importantly, students depended on Jennifer for advice and encouragement to succeed. So many of her colleagues related to us that she will be sorely missed.

While work was important, the other side of Jennifer was a colorful and dry sense of humor who loved to talk and was a great embellisher of stories.

She had a lifelong affection for dachshunds, especially her latest “fur-babies,” Taz and Otto.

An active member of Toastmaster groups — in Coeur d’Alene and Liberty Lake, she held many leadership roles at several levels, some with repeated tenure to help keep clubs active. She loved the process of speaking, and helping others to achieve a quality learning experience. She was a consistent winner of Toastmaster competitions, excelling in Humorous Speech category, implicating many family and friends in her form of levity.

Jennifer was an avid reader, most interested in science fiction and history. She could tell you anything about Dr. Who, and loved to challenge others in knowledge-based games where she frequently outwitted her competitors.

She loved to travel, and visited throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Indonesia and just this past August, Russia.

She is survived by her mother and stepfather, Linda and Jim Duffield; and her father and stepmother, Lyle Henage and Maryann Walsh. She liked to describe herself as an only child of six. She is also survived by her step-siblings, Robb and Liz Duffield, Rick and Lynn Duffield, William Walsh, Nardi Walsh and David Weber. She leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

There will be a celebration of life for Jennifer on what would have been her 50th birthday, from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, in the North Idaho College Edminster Student Union Building at 1000 W. Garden Ave. in Coeur d’Alene.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the “Jennifer Henage Memorial Scholarship” via the NIC Foundation at 1000 W. Garden Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814, or online at www.nic.edu/foundation.

Please visit Jennifer’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.