George F. Hennerley

George F. Hennerley, a beloved father and cherished figure in the Lake Geneva community, passed away peacefully at his home on November 2, 2025. He is leaving behind a legacy marked by hard work, integrity, respect, and an insatiable zest for life and knowledge.

George was born on November 18, 1951, in Weetzen, Germany, to the late Francis and Karla (Mathwig) Hennerley. As the middle of five siblings, George grew up as his family worked to survive and rebuild in a new country after fleeing post WWII Germany. They made their home in Delavan, Wisconsin, where they successfully built a new American life.

George graduated from Delavan-Darien High School in 1969. His commitment to education led him to UW-Whitewater, where he earned a degree in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy, a significant achievement as the first college graduate in his family. His journey was defined by perseverance and triumph.

George always valued mentorship, actively seeking conversations and knowledge from those he admired. A key piece of wisdom came from one such mentor who shared the secret to building wealth: finding a way to make money while you sleep.

Inspired by this philosophy, George launched his real estate career, purchasing his first home in 1976. He was dedicated to learning every trade involved in increasing a home's value, becoming proficient in nearly everything except roofing and crown molding; he hated heights and knew when to hire help. Over his lifetime, George personally remodelled six homes, including two investment properties, meticulously remodeling and knowing every square inch of them.

George's work in real estate was secondary; his true professional calling lay in public service. He dedicated more than 30 years to the Lake Geneva Chamber of Commerce as its Executive Director, a role he poured his passion into. With unwavering dedication, he provided the leadership and vision necessary to elevate Lake Geneva into the sophisticated, year-round destination it is today. George didn't just foster business growth; he immersed himself completely in the local community and its events. George's widespread influence and years of dedication were widely acknowledged through the receipt of numerous awards and recognition of service.

A man of many interests, George was always pursuing the next adventure. He was an avid golfer, cherishing the camaraderie, business connections, and challenges the course offered. Possessing a true spirit of adventure, he even earned his private pilot's license and learned to downhill ski at the age of 40. Whether he was knee-deep in sawdust from a remodeling project or outlining his next travel itinerary, he was always in motion. Helping others was also central to his character; it was never a burden but a pleasurable chore he often sought out. Yet, all of George's professional endeavors and personal pursuits were secondary to the unconditional love he held for his three daughters and six grandchildren, the absolute cornerstone of his life.

George is survived by his three daughters; Rachael Mahairas, Keri (Neil) Johnson, and Stacy (James) Hennerley, and six grandchildren; Max, Augie, Griffin, Georgiana, Anneliese and Vivian, who represented the deepest source of pride and happiness throughout his life. He was actively involved in their numerous activities, always enjoying the chance to teach the next generation his memorable life lessons; lessons they will cherish forever. For his children and grandchildren, he was their reliable harbor: a constant source of love and place of solace. His three siblings: Frank (Susan) Hennerley, Frederick Hennerley, Nita Duncan, and his sister-in-law Lianne all survive him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Karla (Mathwig) Hennerley, his brother Edd, and many of his mentors, all of whom now await him in eternal peace.

He leaves behind a legacy that lives on through his daughters, a powerful testament to the love, dedication, and values he instilled in each of them.

Please join us to celebrate the life and legacy of George on his birthday, November 18th. We invite friends and family to Bella Vista Suites in Lake Geneva from 4-6pm to share memories and honor a man remembered for his kindness and unforgettable wit.

Some last words written by George: ‘Don't despair my daughters, you have made me the luckiest man in the world. Go forward and take care of those you love.’

Finally, an old Irish Saying:

You come into this world naked and bare,

And you go through life with worry and care.

And when you die, you know not where,

But if you're a thoroughbred here, you'll be

a thoroughbred there.

George’s sense of humor remained intact, even elevated until the end. His daughters fondly recall his characteristic request: that he be buried “face down, so you can all kiss my ass.” It was this memorable wit, coupled with his deep kindness, that endeared him to everyone he met.

To create a lasting tribute to George's decades of service and profound contribution to the City of Lake Geneva, his daughters are dedicating a memorial bench in his honor. This bench will be placed on the beautiful shores of Geneva Lake, near the Chamber Building, his absolute favorite place.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks you to consider contributing toward this memorial bench. You may find the donation link below.

To post an online condolence please proceed to the bottom of the page under Guest Book where you may submit your post.

Derrick Funeral Home of Lake Geneva is honored to be assisting George's family.