WAVERLY, Iowa — The Wartburg College track and field program and college community mourns the unexpected loss of Chelsey Henkenius, a 2014 graduate and Lake City native. She died Saturday, Dec. 27, in a car accident in Lake City.

"Chelsey was the perfect gift for a coach as a student-athlete," said head track and field coach Marcus Newsom. "She had a tremendous work ethic as a student, which is evident in her graduating in three years and recently being accepted into graduate school for physical therapy. As an athlete, Chelsey was goal-oriented, tough and trained very hard. However, most importantly as a person, she had a true, peaceful, caring spirit about her. Not only was I fortunate to coach her over the last three years, but she also was my work study student during that time. She also taught swimming lessons to two of my sons. I will remember Chelsey for her smile."

The biology major graduated in three years.

Her visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 30, 3-7 p.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lake City with a prayer service at 7 p.m. The funeral service will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the South Central Calhoun High School gymnasium in Lake City.