Gayla Arlene Fields

Gayla Arlene Fields (Henkensiefken) 76 of Middleton, went into the loving arms of Jesus May 20, 2025, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Gayla was born August 10, 1948, in Centralia Illinois, to Clyde and Ardyce Henkensiefken. The family later welcomed her two younger siblings Cheryl (Hastings) and Robert Henkensiefken both of who Gayla adored. Gayla had a happy Childhood and often shared memories of her adventures with her siblings in Topeka, Kansas.

Family was everything to Gayla. She was blessed with six children. Dewayne (Skeeter) Coffman (wife Donna), Don (Perry) Frye, Lavonne Carpenter (husband Russ), Sherry Lem, Chrystle Fuentes (husband Jerardo) and Teresa Raynor (husband Josh).

She was the most amazing Nana to her 16 grandchildren: Ashley (Erik) Nansen, Amber Montano, Gabriel Jansen, Jessica (Tim) McCarthy, Jerome Jansen, Anthony Caviness, Jayden Fields, Rose (Casey) Brooks, Jancie Justice, Mya Coffman, Aleesha Fields, Coltin Fuentes, Paul Lem Jr., Jessie Raynor, Cody Fuentes, and Kyra Lem.

Gayla was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren: Aliyah McCarthy, Haylie Nansen, Ryker Caviness, McKenna McCarthy, Adalynn Nansen, Autum Fields, Katherine Brooks, Xavier Brooks, Troy Brooks, Parker Justice, and Preston Justice.

Gayla shared a deep bond and lasting friendship with Ernest Fields, the father of her children, a dear friend and love who remained close to her heart.

Gayla was truly loved by everyone who met her! Known affectionately as "Mom" to her children’s friends and "Nana" to her grandchildren’s friends, Gayla welcomed everyone with warmth. She was very involved in her grandchildren’s lives and helped raise many of them to be the amazing people they are today.

Gayla was a very hard and dependable worker and over the years many of her co-workers became like family, too. Many of them recalling that no matter what she had going on in her life, she always had time to listen and be a shoulder to lean on for them. She was always willing to help anyone; she would give the shirt off her back and her very last penny without a second thought even if it meant she would go without.

Even after retirement, Gayla did not slow down. Her dear neighbor Jojo became her best friend, and together they would go to family game days, senior center lunches, drives in the country and many other fun adventures together. They would also take turns making dinners each night. When Gayla got sick, Jojo brought her dinner over each night. Jojo was a true friend and blessing to Gayla and her family is so very thankful.

Gayla was very sentimental and though she cherished many things, she absolutely loved her wind chimes—she had about 30 sets on her back porch. She loved to listen to them singing in the wind. Her children and grandchildren would pick them up for her on their vacations and adventures and she knew where each one came from, and which child or grandchild had given it to her and the details of their adventure. When her children visited, the first thing she’d say after hugs and hello was, “Will you go untangle my wind chimes?”—and of course, they always did.

During a rainstorm you could be sure you would find all her windows and doors open as she loved the smell of rain and loved a good thunderstorm.

She loved camping and road trips and was always up for an adventure. She loved farm animals, and they always reminded her of her younger days. Her family and friends referred to her as the Yahtzee queen and she was always up to challenging us to a game of Yahtzee.

She always had a smile on her face and a hug for everyone she saw. There aren’t enough words to express how kind and loving she was. If you knew her for more than a minute, you loved her.

Gayla was proceeded in death by her parents Clyde and Ardyce Henkensiefken, her grandson Jerome Jansen, granddaughter Amber Montano, and daughter in-law Donna Coffman.

She leaves behind her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sister and brother, multiple nieces, and nephews and so so many other people who loved and adored her.

May we all strive to be as kind, loving, and welcoming as you were, Mom. You gave your all and loved us with everything you had. You will be dearly missed.

A Letter from Heaven - Author Unknown

When tomorrow starts without me,

and I’m not there to see;

If the sun should rise and find your eyes,

Filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn’t cry,

the way you did today,

While thinking of the many things,

We didn’t get to say.

I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you,

And each time you think of me,

I know you’ll miss me too;

When tomorrow starts without me,

Don’t think we’re far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I’m right here in your heart.