Henny Tom

Henny Tom, age 98, of Henderson, Nevada passed away on Friday, July 26, 2024. She was born in Bayreuth, Germany, in North Bavaria. The city of Bayreuth, Germany is known, among many things, for the Richard Wagner Festival. Once a year Opera fans from around the world listen to Richard Wagner Music at the Richard Wagner Festspiel Opera House. To obtain tickets you have to order up to one year in advance.

During her early teenage years Henny was in the BDM, Bund Deutscher Madchen (League of German Girls), which was for young girls between the ages of 14 to 18 years old. Henny was about 14 in 1940. German folklore, singing songs of national pride, outdoor activities and camping, were the order of the day. At the beginning Henny work in the farm fields gathering hay. She then helped Mothers with baby care and cleaning as the men were at war. She was also a Flak Helferin (Flak Helper) giving advance warning and direction to German Gunners of American and British bombers flying overhead. When the war ended, she was released from service in place and had to find her own way home.

After many days Henny finally made it home to Bayreuth for a happy reunion. Unfortunately She and her family had to vacate their home at 9 Gontard Strasse, as the Americans took over the house. When Henny and her family were allowed to return to 9 Gontard Strasse, they found an empty house. There was no furniture, carpets, paintings, silverware, pots and pans, clothing, light fixtures as it had all been looted. While it was difficult time for her and her family, Henny never harbored any bitterness or dislike of Americans because of WWll.

Henny, in Germany, worked as a secretary for the American Bindlach Elementary School Principal. Later she worked as the Clerk-Typist at the American Nurnberg High School and the Civilian Personal Office at Grafenwohr. She met the love of her life, Remi Kwock Hong Tom while he was serving in the US Army. After Remi Tom was Discharged from the US Army, he returned to the United States and invited Henny

to visit him in Jacksonville, Florida. The couple were married in Jacksonville, Florida on October 4, 1968; a marriage that would last for 56 years. In America Henny was a Kelly Girl as a Clerk-Typist for Volkswagen and Ryder Truck lines in Jacksonville, Florida. They lived in several places throughout their journey. They lived: Nurnberg, Grafenwohr, Kastel, Heidelberg, and Frankfurt, Germany; Jacksonville, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; Salinas; and Barstow, California before settling in Henderson, Nevada. The couple moved 15 times in 32 years due to her husband's Military and Federal Civil Service.

Henny was a loving wife who had many pastimes and passions. She liked Sudoku, Word Search/Word Find, German Crossword, 1000 piece puzzles and crocheting. She was an avid Knitter, Sewer, and liked Cross Stitch, collected Dolls and Cactus and Succulents. She was known to knit booties, sweaters, hats, scarfs, socks, and pullovers for her friends and neighbors. Henny also liked spending time in the outdoors: skiing, sightseeing in Germany, playing tennis and Surf Fishing in Florida. In addition, her favorite dishes are Pickled Herring Salat, Potato Dumplings (Klosse), Rolladen, Red Cabbage or Sauerkraut and Weiss Wurst or Nurnberger Bratwurst and German Mustard and German beer.

Henny had a skill in maintaining long-lasting relationships. Her life-long friendship with Stella Arndt in Munchen, Germany; started with childhood school days. She cultivated close ties with Ilse Zeigler and her daughter, Brigitte Waltz Saltzman, France. Henny had many friends and neighbors who enjoyed her company; she will truly be missed.

Henny is survived by her husband of 56 Years, Remi; one niece, Gabriel Rieger; and extended family. She was preceded in death by her father, Hans Scherber; mother, Frieda Prechtel; one sister, Anneliese Scherber Rieger; brother-in-law, Kurt Rieger; and one nephew, Falko Rieger.

Henny will be laid to rest at Mililani Memorial Park in Hawaii.