JAMES HENSEN

James Peter Hensen, “Jim”, age 75, of Menasha passed away on April 23, 2016 at St. Elizabeth Hospital - Appleton, surrounded by family. Born November 28, 1940, in Fond du Lac, WI, he was the son of the late Melvin and Dorothy (Hall) Hensen. Jim graduated from Neenah High School in 1959, was Student Council President, and attended U-W Oshkosh. Jim excelled in sports and lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track.

Jim was employed with Gilbert Paper Company in Menasha, retiring after 38 years. He was happiest when he could watch a Green Bay Packers or WI Badgers game with family and friends. He also enjoyed golf and took pride in his garden and yard. On April 30, 1960, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Johnson. The couple were blessed with four wonderful children, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren during their, nearly, 56 years of marriage.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and will be sadly missed by his wife Sharon; children: Torrie (Greg) Skibba; Peter (Polly) Hensen; Christopher (Becky) Hensen; Carrie Hensen; and his happy hour buddy, Vegas. Jim is further survived by his sister, Audrey Winters; his brothers: Jerome (Gaile) Hensen; Thomas Hensen; and Lauren (Lisa) Hensen; grandchildren: Ryan (Elizabeth) Schmalz; Nicole (Nicholas) Van Zeeland; Brandon (Emily) Schmalz; Andrew Hensen; Emma Hensen; Mitchell White and Kelvin Medrano.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Jim's name.

A celebration of life will take place at 4:00 P.M. on Friday, April 29, 2016 at Menasha's Westgor Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 2:00 P.M. until the hour of service.

The family would like to thank the Emergency and Intensive Care Unit staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital for their hard work, compassion and support. We would also like to thank Amy Jo & Carolynn with VCR for their thoughtful guidance.