Bruce T. Henning

Bruce T. Henning, age 56, of Peosta, IA, was called home to the loving arms of Jesus on December 27, 2025, at home while surrounded by his loving family.  To honor Bruce’s life, his Celebration of Life will be held from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds, 14569 Old Highway Road in Dubuque.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Bruce’s family.

Bruce was born on September 24, 1969, in Joliet, IL, a son to Thomas and Leslie (Herman) Henning.  He understood quite clearly that life was a journey to be lived to its fullest and each season held a plan and purpose in his life.  Bruce wore many hats throughout his life, and in each chapter he discovered contentment and satisfaction.  He drove truck for over 27 years, he knew every road, curve and dead end in Jo Daviess County as a driver for FedEx, and even invested a few years with Rite Hite before finally realizing his life’s dream of owning his own custom car shop, Henning Hot Rods.  Bruce had thankfully met his beautiful bride, Julie Heinz, while fulfilling his regular routes with FedEx and the two were blessed with a family of their own to love and nurture while Bruce worked his off hours building his auto performance and restoration reputation.  Eventually, he was able to turn his passion into a full-time venture and many folks have been blessed by his talents over the years.  Whether it was a performance upgrade, or a complete frame-off restoration for another classic, Bruce embraced each job as an opportunity to share his natural gifts while earning a living doing when he enjoyed. 

For those who knew Bruce well, it was undeniable that he faced each day with an open heart and mind.  He wasn’t always sure what the Lord would bring into his life that day, but he knew that he would make every effort to give God the glory whenever possible.  Bruce believed that truth and love were meant to be shared along with the Good New’s of Jesus Christ.  It didn’t matter if you were a dear friend, a client, or a complete stranger; if at any point you were blessed to share in a conversation with Bruce, it was very likely that his faith was going to be shared with you as well.  Bruce was a faithful member of Great Adventure Church and held regular Sunday morning men’s bible study for anyone in the community to attend in his shop before heading off to their perspective churches for services.  He was also a devoted volunteer with Vintage Torque Fest in Dubuque for many years and again, the love of cars was the main priority, but another opportunity to share Christ’s love was always securely residing in the background of Bruce’s mind. 

Bruce was also a relentless husband and father.  He was not an avid sports fan by any stretch of the imagination, but joyfully still made it a point to attend all of Will’s sporting events as he moved through childhood.  His love and devotion for his family were continually on display and his desire to build Julie and the kids their dream home was just one more fine example of allowing himself to decrease for the greater good of those around him.  Bruce was a true force for all that is good in this world and his absence now will definitely be felt in the lives of many who knew and loved him, and consequently in many lives of folks who never even met him personally.  Our human hearts possess a permanent wound today with the loss of Bruce from our daily lives, but we know and trust that he has now begun his eternal journey in the perfect presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and in that knowledge, we not only seek, but thankfully find peace.  Thank you, Bruce, for always giving more than you took, for leading by the finest of examples, and for never questioning when it was time to stand vs. when it was a moment which required a little kneeling in order to gain strength, wisdom and patience.  May the comfort of the Lord make your earthly health battles nothing but a distant memory now as you hear those words we all desire to hear…”Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.  Enter into the joy of your Lord.”        

Those left to cherish the memory of Bruce include,

his loving wife of 20 years,

Julie Henning, Peosta, IA;

his three adored sons,

Justin Thomas Henning, Hazel Green, WI,

Jacob John “Jake” (Hailey) Henning, Goose, Lake, IA,

and William Bruce “Will” Henning, Peosta, IA;

his mother,

Leslie Whiting, Dixon, TN;

his mother-in-law,

Kathy Heinz, Dubuque, IA,;

his sister-in-law,

Susan Swierk, Peosta, IA;

along with numerous extended family, friends and neighbors.

Bruce was preceded in death by his father-in-law, William Heinz.

In lieu of flowers, a Bruce T. Henning memorial fund has been established.

Bruce’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dubuque for all of their professional and compassionate care.

Online condolences may be shared with Bruce’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com