Michelle "Mikey" Henrich, 41
Michelle McKenzie Henrich (Mikey), 41, Omaha, Neb., formerly of Red Oak, passed away Friday Oct. 7, 2022, at Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Neb.
Michelle (Mikey) was born July 18, 1981, in Red Oak, the daughter of David Henrich and Kay Brennan. Her siblings are Melissa Byers, Matt Henrich and Melanie Henrich.
While some know her as Michelle she was always lovingly referred to as Mikey by her family and close friends from Red Oak. Her family fondly remembers the story how this nickname began. They thought mom was pregnant with a boy and had picked the name Michael but decided to call him Mikey for short. Until July 18, 1981, rolled around and the doctors informed Kay and Dave that Mikey was a girl. So, the scramble to come up with a girl’s name began and Mikey was officially named Michelle. But after calling her Mikey for 9 months it felt weird calling her Michelle, and it never stuck for her family. Once she got older, she decided she wanted to be called Michelle as she began her nursing career but none of her family or close friends could call her Michelle. However, they discovered it was just too strange to call her Michelle after all the years. She was and will always be Mikey.
Mikey graduated from Red Oak Community High School in 1999, received her RN from Southwestern Community College, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Clarkson School of Nursing, graduating with honors. She started her career working at Montgomery County Memorial Hospital and was currently working at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha as an infectious disease nurse.
Mikey loved hanging out with her chickens in the backyard and taking care of stray cats that found their way to her house. She loved riding in her Jeep with the doors and top off and getting some sun with the wind in her face. She also enjoyed fishing and camping at her dad’s pond and spending time with family and friends. She loved watching football and cheering on the Steelers win or lose. She was also very passionate about volunteering, especially during the pandemic, to help people get vaccinations and blood drives.
Mikey is survived by her parents; David Henrich (Red Oak) and Kay Brennan (Red Oak), siblings, Melissa Byers and husband Wade (Stanton); Matt Henrich and wife Gio (Longmont, Colo.); and Melanie Henrich (Lavista, Neb.); nieces and nephew, Kassidy Henrich, Ashlyn Saliny and Dawson Culver. Friend and former husband, Trevor Hegwald (Hamburg) and his children Ann Hegwald, Austin Hegwald, Alyssa Hegwald and Alex Hegwald.
A celebration of life service will be held at a date and time to be announced.
Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.