Martin Hensel

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. on Monday, December 5, 2011 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids, MN with Father Thomas Friedl officiating.VISITATION : 5-8:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.INTERMENT : Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Toad Lake, MNSURVIVORS : His five children: Gary (Diane) Hensel of Park Rapids, Joan (Tom) Jacobson of Park Rapids, Karen (Bret) Holtan of Menahga, Dean Hensel of Park Rapids and Gail (Jim) Kalla of Nevis; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and his sister, Cecelia Ziegler of Frazee. MARTIN LEONARD HENSELOctober 3, 1932 " November 30, 2011 Martin Leonard Hensel, age 79 a life long Park Rapids, MN area resident, died on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at the St. Joseph"s Area Hospital in Park Rapids, MN surrounded by his loved ones. Martin was born on October 3, 1932 to William and Mary (Michels) near "Hubbies Corner" just north of Park Rapids, MN. At just one year of age, he moved with his family to a farm in Todd Township, just a couple of miles down the road from his birthplace where he lived out all the rest of his days. Martin attended the District #11 Country School near his home. As a young man, he ventured to North Dakota where he worked seasonally on several large farms near Marion for several years. He returned to the Park Rapids area where he worked in the woods cutting pulp for a time. Following the death of his father in 1954, Martin assumed the responsibilities of operating the family dairy farm and purchased the farm in 1959. On June 20, 1959, he was united in marriage to Irene Elaine Neske at St. Peters Catholic Church in Park Rapids. This union was blessed with five children: Gary, Joan, Karen, Dean and Gail. Martin dedicated himself to building a fine Holstein dairy herd and transforming the rugged land into a productive farm. In addition to farming, Martin also supported his family by driving milk truck for the Park Rapids Creamery, working seasonally for the REA in Park Rapids and driving truck hauling sugar beets and potatoes during harvest near Grand Forks, ND. His two sons: Gary and Dean took over the farm as the third generation of Hensels to care for the land that Martin grew up on. He continued to help on the farm until his eyesight failed. Martin loved the outdoors and always looked forward to deer hunting and fishing with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed being taken for rides on his golf cart by his grandchildren. Martin was a life time member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids. Above all, Martin will be remembered for his jocular sense of humor and as a man who devoted his life to caring for his family who he loved with all his heart. Martin will be lovingly remembered by his five children: Gary (Diane) Hensel of Park Rapids, Joan (Tom) Jacobson of Park Rapids, Karen (Bret) Holtan of Menahga, Dean Hensel of Park Rapids and Gail (Jim) Kalla of Nevis; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his sister, Cecelia Ziegler of Frazee; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his precious wife, Irene who died January 2, 1983; his parents; seven brothers: Charles, Leo, Herb, Lawrence, Mark, Harold and Cecil and one sister, Mary. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Monday, December 5, 2011 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church with Father Thomas Friedl and Father Duane Pribula officiating. The organist will be Joy Horejsi and the Alleluia Choir will lead the music. The casket bearers will be Martin"s grandsons: Timothy Hensel, Dennis Hensel, Luke Jacobson, Caleb Holtan, Austin Kalla and Tanner Kalla. His honorary casket bearers will be: Amanda Williams, Shelby Kalla, Nicole Kalla, DeVyanna Pedersen, Diona Schultz, Jasmine Williams and Shawn "Bruno" Williams, Jr. Interment will be made in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery near Toad Lake. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Sunday, December 4, 2011 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Monday. Following the funeral a lunch reception will be hosted by the church for all in attendance.