Gerald Alfred "Jerry" Hensler

Gerald "Jerry" Alfred Hensler, age 90, of Saginaw, surrounded by his family, peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, January 16th, 2026. Born in Saginaw on October 20, 1935 to Alfred and Dorothea (Yahn) Hensler, he was the oldest of 4 boys in the family. Jerry grew up in Saginaw, and along with his parents, was a charter and lifelong member of Peace Lutheran Church and School. He was in the First-Grade class at Peace Lutheran School when it opened. Jerry graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1953. He first attended Hillsdale College, which he proudly supported his whole life and graduated from Central Michigan in 1957. After graduation, Jerry went to work in the accounting Department at the Chevrolet plant in Saginaw. Jerry met his beloved "Fritz" Marlene (Kern) Hensler while at Arthur Hill and they were married on June 29, 1957 after his college graduation. They shared almost 67 years of marriage when Marlene passed away on May 11, 2024. Work took Jerry and Marlene from Saginaw to Chevrolet in Warren, MI for three years until Jerry decided to leave GM in 1965 and join his father Alfred in the family business, Hensler Furniture Restoration that Al started in 1934. Over the years, with Jerry's leadership, the family business grew in size, moving to a new location in 1969 and in the volume and areas of restoration work. Jerry's sons Brian and Scott and later grandson Nolan also joined him in the family business. Until recent years, Jerry always stayed involved as a part of the business, the shop was always his hobby and passion. Jerry was an active member of Peace Lutheran throughout his life, serving on several different boards and groups over the many years. He was involved with Big Brothers, the Read Program at Stone School, the Castle Museum, Saginaw Antique Warehouse, and the Saginaw Valley Antique Society. Jerry and Marlene enjoyed traveling on numerous cruises to Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean with family and friends. Jerry coached his sons at North Little League and loved playing sports – bowling in many different leagues until age 85, but never was able to throw that elusive 300 game. He loved playing baseball as a child, practicing ball with his children, playing on numerous softball teams until age 74, and for many years with his sons on the Hensler softball team. Jerry was a true diehard University of Michigan sports fan his whole life, taking in many football games. He also played pickleball, racquetball, and sailing along with other activities. Jerry and Marlene also enjoyed spending as much time as they could vacationing at and later spending time at their cottage of over 30 years on Higgins Lake where he was amazingly able to resist Marlene's continual call over the years to go swimming "Come on in, the waters fine". Jerry's grandkids were a pride and joy for him to spend time with and be with them as they grew up. Probably Jerry and Marlene's biggest hobby that they were blessed with, was their incredible collection of the friendship of so very many people over the years, wherever they lived. So many dear friends that they knew so well and truly enjoyed getting together and spending time with.

Jerry and Marlene had three children which survive them, Brian (Kathy) Hensler, Margo (Damian) Fisher, and Scott (Mindy) Hensler along with 6 grandchildren, Spencer DeWaele, Stuart DeWaele, Jeff (Lindsay) Hensler, Matt (Karli) Hensler, Nolan Hensler, and Cora Hensler. They also have 3 great-grand Children, Daniel DeWaele, Leland Hensler, and Betsy Marlene Hensler. Jerry is also survived by his brothers James Hensler, David Hensler, and a dear cousin Fred Hensler, sisters-in-law Mary Ann (Ed) Wojahn, Barabra Worden, and Charlotte (Casey) Cavelle.

Jerry was predeceased by his wife Marlene, his parents Al and Dorothea Hensler, his in-laws Erwin and Lorna Kern, his brother Richard Hensler and his wife Diane, brother-in-law Harold Worden, and sisters-in-law Henrietta Hensler and Sharon Hensler.

The family would also like to sincerely thank the Hospice staff at Wellspring and Optimal Hospice Care for their kind and compassionate care of Jerry.