Lou Ann Hennig

Mar 10, 1950 -

Jul 3, 2026

Lou Ann Wait Hennig, 76, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026, with her beloved husband by her side. She died from complications of sepsis after a life filled with music, laughter, friendship and a deep love for her family and community.

Lou Ann was born on March 10, 1950, in Woodstock, Ill., to Hershey and Carolyn Lou Wait, who preceded her in death. Around the age of 10, she and her three younger brothers moved with their family to Lake Zurich, Ill. In 1964, the boy who would become her future husband moved in next door. Neither of them could have imagined that a childhood friendship would grow into a lifelong love story.

She graduated from Lake Zurich High School with the class of 1968, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. During high school, she was active in band, playing the flute and piano.

Lou Ann attended Northwestern University, where she studied music and added the harp to her repertoire under the instruction of renowned harpist Alberto Salvi. Her music studies were cut short after she underwent thoracic outlet surgery. During her recovery to regain the use of her arm and hand, she attended secretarial school in Chicago as she prepared for a new career.

She was the beloved wife, partner and best friend of Stephen Hennig, and the devoted mother of C'Lou Hennig (JT Foy Jr.). Lou Ann and Steve began dating in high school and were married on Aug. 11, 1973. She always loved to say, "I married the boy next door." Four days after their wedding, they packed a U-Haul and moved to Logan, Utah, where Lou Ann worked to help put Steve through school at Utah State University. When Steve received a job offer in Alaska, Lou Ann thought he was joking and insisted he call back so she could confirm it herself. In 1977, they packed their little Toyota hatchback and headed north to begin the adventure that would become their home for nearly five decades.

In 1979, Lou Ann found what would become her lifelong career when she joined the Anchorage Daily News as administrative assistant to publisher, Kay Fanning. At the time, the newspaper was a small operation with a staff of only 12 people. Over the next 29 years, Lou Ann earned the respect of her colleagues and rose to become the Human Resources Director.

Although her career flourished, she never left music behind. In 1993, she joined the Anchorage Concert Chorus as a proud alto. In addition to performing, she served for many years on the Chorus Board, including as its president. Touring with the chorus allowed her to sing in some of the world's most beautiful cathedrals, including St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, along with many other remarkable venues. One of the highlights of her musical life came in 2022 when she performed at Carnegie Hall. Yet among her favorite roles was serving as auditions chair because annual auditions gave her the opportunity to personally meet every member of the chorus.

Gardening was Lou Ann's other great passion, a love she inherited from her mother. She became a Master Gardener, and the gardens surrounding her home were her pride and joy. She especially loved hostas, collecting nearly 80 varieties, with a particular fondness for blue cultivars. During Alaska's summers, she could often be found happily weeding, deadheading or cutting fresh flowers to enjoy throughout the house. Wherever she traveled, she sought out local botanical gardens for inspiration and was always on the lookout for a new plant to bring home.

Lou Ann's legacy is one of love, kindness, curiosity, generosity and joy. She will be profoundly missed by her family, friends, choir members, former colleagues and all who had the privilege of sharing in her life. Though her voice has fallen silent, the music she shared and the love she gave will continue to resonate in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Lou Ann is survived by her husband, Stephen Hennig; daughter, C'Lou Hennig (JT Foy Jr.); brothers, Eric Wait (Barb), Roy Wait (Sue) and Kurt "Skook" Wait (Mari Anne); as well as many nieces and nephews, cherished friends, former colleagues, fellow choir members and countless others whose lives she touched.

Memorial donations may be made in Lou Ann's honor to the Anchorage Concert Chorus.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.