Frank Gaensehals

SHREVEPORT, LA - Frank Gaensehals was born September 26th, 1920 in Pioneer, Louisiana to parents Rudolph and Ora. He grew up working the cotton fields around Floyd and Delhi Louisiana, and helped his family survive the Great Depression as a teenager. It was in these formative years that he developed not only his discipline and strong work ethic, but also love of the outdoors.

Frank enlisted in the Navy during World War II, eventually becoming a pilot in the U.S. Marines air corps. He rose through the ranks quickly, piloting Douglas SBD Dauntless dive-bombers in the Pacific theater, and ultimately leading a squadron aptly named "Sons of Satan". He was honorably discharged in 1945 with the rank of Captain, and returned to college at Louisiana Tech where he graduated from the first class of the School of Forestry.

He married Betty Carolyn Heaton on November 15th, 1946, and together raised three very accomplished children, Frank, Ginny, and Bunny. In addition to supporting Frank's career as a forester, the couple owned and managed several hotels during the first part of their marriage allowing the family to live in various cities in Texas. They eventually settled in Shreveport on a three-acre lot overlooking Cross Lake in the home that will be forever recognized as "Betty and Frank's".

Frank will be remembered in different ways for different people. For the surviving members of his squadron, "Gaens" was pure bravery and guts, someone at natural ease in the role of a leader. For the fishermen of north Louisiana, he was a legend not only for his mastery of the sport, but for the annual post-tournament fish fry he and Betty held on their lawn. For anyone who visited their home on South Lakeshore Drive, they will remember how Frank was always seated at his rightful head of the table, that day's newspaper close by, ready to share stories and laughs about the topic of the day. For his children and grandchildren, "Daddy" and "Paw Paw" proved to them that no matter what the obstacles, you can achieve anything in life if you work hard enough.

Frank passed away Tuesday, December 28th at Pierremont Healthcare Center in Shreveport. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff there, in addition to LaShonda Hogan, his main caretaker this year. He is preceded in death by Betty, his wife of 60 years, sister Neva Buckles and Ada Lou Ashley of Shreveport, brother Butler Smith of Ferriday, Louisiana, "Smokey" the cat, and several Snapper lawnmowers. He is survived by his sister Charlotte Davis and husband Jim of Arcadia, Louisiana, son Frank N. Gaensehals and wife Leah of Shreveport, daughter Virginia Boyd and husband Mike of Wasilla, Alaska, daughter Carolyn Badger and husband Leo of Riverside, California, daughter-in-law Joy Gaensehals of Shreveport, grandson Eric Gaensehals and wife Tammy of Austin, Texas, grandson Jared Boyd and wife McKenzy of Mitchell, South Dakota, granddaughter Emily Gaensehals and fiancée Chris Mock of Baton Rouge, granddaughter Alyson Coffman and husband Justin of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, nieces Glynn Dubois and Lady Katherine Rogers, nephews Rudy Davis, Sonny Buckles, and Billy Oakes, adopted family Sudha, Ashok, Laxmi, and Smita Rao, and many friends and relatives.

Services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 2, 2011, at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home with Reverend Billy Pierce officiating. Interment will follow in Centuries Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. prior to the service.

You may offer words of comfort to the family by visiting www.centuriesmemorialfh.com.