Jessika Lene' Henrickson

Jessika Lene’ Henrickson, 25, of Wahpeton, ND, formerly of Mayville, ND died Saturday, November 3, 2013 in Fargo, ND. Chris Tomlin sings of being “alive on God’s great dance floor.” Is there a better way to describe the life and love of Jessika Lene’ Henrickson? She was a living celebration of God, and the entire world was her dance floor. In her warm, cheerful, sweet way, she invited all of us to dance with her. Jessika was born in Dothan, Ala., on November 7, 1987 to Eric and Rene’ Henrickson. From the outset, she was surrounded by love. Her mom and dad raised her to believe in the importance of family, the unending grace of God and the meaning of caring for others. She was the baby in her family, looking up to two sisters who sometimes tormented her but always treasured her. They were her best friends. Throughout her childhood and early teen years, Jessie traveled the country with her family sharing God’s Word with those in need from Florida to Texas to Wisconsin to Minnesota and many places in between. At every stop along the way, she forged lasting friendships and deepened her faith in Christ. She and her family settled in Fergus Falls, Minnesota where Jessika quickly became immersed in church and school. Her one-woman effort to enroll in as many colleges as possible before actually earning a degree led Jessika to enjoy campus life at four different schools before graduating from Mayville State University in 2012. Some might chalk this up to her desire to learn, while she most likely saw it as just another way to make more friends and share her infectious humor with others. In her own words, Jessie told us, “I love laughing and, of course, making people laugh. I love serving people.” It was during her college years that this passion came into full blossom. During the summers of 2007 to 2009, she served as kitchen assistant and then Summer Program Assistant at Lutheran Island Camp where she touched the lives of countless adults and children, bringing them closer to God. This was also true of her involvement with Redeemer’s Song Ministries. For more than 10 years with the program, first as a high school member, then director, and finally a member of the Board of Directors, she helped share God’s message with the community through theater and film. Jessika’s dedication to serve others guided her young professional career. For four years, she was a resident assistant and writing counselor at Mayville State. In February of this year, she began working as a residential life coordinator at North Dakota State College of Science. It was in these experiences where she lived into her calling as a trusted friend, mentor and vessel of God’s greatness. Jessika joined her father Eric Henrickson and her grandmother Nancy Henrickson in Heaven on November 3, 2013. She leaves behind her mother Rene’ and stepfather Tom Omlid; sisters Erika and Rebekah Henrickson; grandfather Everett and step-grandmother Lina Henrickson; grandparents Butch and Betty Newton; and aunts, uncles, cousins and brothers and sisters in Christ. Daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, Auntie Mama and friend. Jessika was all of these things. But more than these, she was the embodiment of joy. As she herself said, her “goal in life is to live everyday to the fullest for the glory of my unconditional loving, awesome Lord.” Who can argue that she did not do that? She danced her way through life. Her passion was sharing her abundant love for God and His Word with all who knew her. This wasn’t just her nature. It was her purpose. We now know she dances with angels in Heaven. Having Jessika touch each of our lives in uniquely special yet equally wonderful ways has left us all with a full dance card here on Earth. Jessika was a bright and colorful soul, so let's send her off in style! Please wear bright and beautiful colors to celebrate her life with us! Visitation: 5-7 PM on Friday, November 8, 2013 with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Mayville and will resume one hour prior to the service at the Riverside Evangelical Free Church in Mayville. Funeral Service: 10:00 AM Saturday, November 9, 2013 at Riverside Evangelical Free Church in Mayville, ND. Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN at 3:30 PM Saturday, November 9, 2013.