Aaron Henning passes away due to fire-related injuries

A victim of a recent house fire who was severely burned has passed away, and friends and family are rallying to support the family he left behind.

Aaron Henning, 38, passed away early Monday morning, according to Mikie Hansen, a family friend.

Henning suffered burns over a great deal of his body in a May 25 fire at his in-laws’ home, where his wife, Genevieve, her niece and her parents were sleeping, and had been hospitalized since being transported by helicopter to Iowa City after the fire.

Aaron was able to help Genevieve escape through a ground-level basement window. She and a 5-year-old niece and her parents, who own the home, escaped without serious injuries. However, Aaron was burned over much of his body, and suffered lung damage.

Henning, a 1995 Newton High School graduate, leaves behind two sons, Jordan and Logan, along with a long list of family and friends.

In addition to a www.gofundme.com account, some local charity efforts are taking place for the family. Okoboji Grill's Newton location is donating 25 percent of server's June 10 tips and a matching amount from the owner to Henning's family.

Marty Brunsmann said he has known Aaron and Genevieve Henning for many years. Aaron loved softball, even though injuries kept him out of action within the past couple of years, and Brunsmann and others plan to honor Henning this weekend at a planned softball tournament in Kellogg.

“Aaron was very active — especially before he had to have heel surgery,” Brunsmann said. “He was just a loving guy.”

The hashtag widely used by those rallying around the family is #henningstrong. A family friend said T-shirts bearing that slogan were ordered late last week.

Brunsmann said the this year’s softball tournament, called the “South Skunk River Bash” in the past, will now bear Henning’s name. Fundraiser raffles for donated softball gear and a home run derby are slated to take place at the tourney on Saturday and Sunday, with Henning’s family as the beneficiary.

Brunsmann thanked Subway, The Manhattan and other Newton-area businesses and individuals for their financial support to help the family.

The family members who survived the fire lost a great deal of personal belongings — especially clothing.

The fire destroyed the W. 68th St. S. home that belonged to Angel and Diana Avila, Genevieve’s parents. Angel Avila said he said he woke up because he smelled smoke, and his wife, Diana, had to alert Genevieve and Aaron by phone that they needed to get out of the basement.

Avila said he has no idea how the fire started, and a fire official said there is likely too much widespread damage to determine an exact cause.

Donations can be made through GoFundMe.org or by contacting Hansen at 641-417-9381 or Jaci Umbarger at 641-521-8810.

The softball tournament will be one of many emotional events in the weeks ahead for those who knew Henning best. Charity Smothers Brunsmann said Henning made friends nearly everywhere he went.

“Aaron has many connections among all of these teams,” she said. “I don’t think there is a single team that does not have at least one if not every player who would call Aaron a friend. He didn’t know a stranger. Many tears will be shed over the loss of this amazing man. He will be missed immensely.”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com