Donald Hensler

Donald R. Hensler, 85, of Boulder City, NV, passed away on July 7, 2012, just 5 months after the passing of his wife of 62 years, Helen Sophia (Biel) Hensler.

He was born on July 18, 1926 in Milwaukee, WI, an only child to Rudolph and Margaret Hensler.

He left school early to become an apprentice tool and die maker, and later at age 16, enlisted in the Navy during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1945

after serving at Iwo Jima, and toured through the devistation of Nagasaki, Japan, before returning home. He remained touched by the images he saw for the rest of his life.

He converted to Catholicism in order to marry his sweetheart, Helen, and they were married in St. Anne's Church on January, 15, 1949 in Milwaukee. Together they went on to raise 3 sons and move to the west coast, eventually settling in the Rouge Valley in 1969. After retiring from Eaton Corporation (formerly Thompkins-Johnson), he focused on building his mobile home park in Ashland, the Valley View Mobile Haven, and being a beloved grandfather to 5 girls.

Survivors include sons Jeffrey and Steven, granddaughters Karolee Baxter, Christine Burkett, Sarah Carlson, Rachel Steinbach and Jenny Newkirk, and 6 great-grand children, and also a cousin, Marilyn Vrolstad, of WI. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Helen, and a son, Daniel James Hensler.

A memorial and interment of Don and Helen's remains will be held at the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada on October 19, 2012. Donations can be made on his behalf to your local veterans center, or to the Mariner Neighborhood of the Nevada State Veteran's Home in Boulder City, Nevada for their devotion and loving care of our loved ones. Arrangements are being handled by Boulder City Family Mortuary www.bouldercityfamilymortuary.com.