Marlene Hensler
January 14, 1935 - May 11, 2024
Obituary
Marlene Barbara (Kern) Hensler, age 89, of Saginaw, surrounded by her family, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Edgewood Assisted Living in Saginaw. Born on January 14, 1935 to Erwin and Lorna (Hecht) Kern, Marlene was the oldest of four girls. She married Gerald “Jerry” Hensler on June 29, 1957 and they shared almost 67 years of marriage together.
Marlene grew up in Frankenmuth and attended St. Lorenz Lutheran Church and School where she was confirmed. She graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1953 where she and Jerry met. They continued to date after high school with Marlene working at Zehnder's and Rummel Insurance while Jerry was attending college and they married after his graduation.
Marlene and Jerry had 3 children and she dedicated herself to being an at home mother to raise their children and be an active part of their education and upbringing. After their children grew up, Marlene spent time working at the family business, Hensler Furniture Restoration. She also enjoyed bowling in local leagues – women's and mixed for many years and was involved in numerous other groups, volunteering at the Saginaw YMCA for many years, and the Valley Lutheran H. S. Ladies Guild. Marlene was a life-long member of Peace Lutheran Church where she served on the Ladies Guild, sang in the choir, and was always active serving on numerous other groups and boards at Peace Lutheran. Marlene and Jerry enjoyed traveling around the United States and took numerous Caribbean and other cruises over the years with friends and family. For many years Marlene also enjoyed her time at their cottage on Higgins Lake with family and friends always being welcome. An avid swimmer from an early age, even teaching her mother how to swim, Marlene could generally be found in the water floating on a swim noodle and always encouraging others to join her with her “Come on in, the water's warm!” call – even if it wasn't! Like all grandmothers, Marlene cherished her time with her grandchildren and was thrilled to also become a Great-Grandma. Marlene and Jerry also collected the friendship of so many people over the years and enjoyed spending time with all of them.
Marlene is survived by her husband Jerry, son Brian (Kathy) Hensler, daughter Margo (Damian) Fisher, and son Scott (Melinda) Hensler along with Grandchildren Jeff (Lindsay) Hensler, Matt Hensler and fiancé Karli Zubeck, Spencer DeWaele, Stuart DeWaele, Nolan Hensler, Cora Hensler, and two Great Grandchildren, Daniel DeWaele and Leland Hensler with a third due in September. Also surviving are her sisters Mary Ann (Ed) Wojahn, Barbara Worden, Charlotte (Casey) Cavelle, brothers-in law, James Hensler, David Hensler, and special cousin Fred Hensler
Marlene was predeceased by her parents Erwin and Lorna Kern, in-laws Alfred and Dorthea Hensler, brothers-in-law Richard Hensler, Harold Worden and sisters-in-laws Henrietta Hensler, Sharon Hensler, and Diane Hensler.
The family would like to express their sincere and deepest gratitude to the staff at Edgewood Assisted Living of Saginaw for their outpouring of care, love, and support that they gave and shared with mom during her stay there.
Visitation will take place on Friday, May 17, 2024 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Ave. Saginaw. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 10:00 am at Peace Lutheran Church, 3427 Adams Ave., Saginaw until the time of the Funeral Service at 11:00 am. Pastor Erik Schmidt will officiate. Burial will take place at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Saginaw.
Memorials to Marlene in lieu of flowers can be made to Peace Lutheran Church, Valley Lutheran High School, and The Castle Museum of Saginaw County.
For information, please call Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989)-755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com
Marlene grew up in Frankenmuth and attended St. Lorenz Lutheran Church and School where she was confirmed. She graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1953 where she and Jerry met. They continued to date after high school with Marlene working at Zehnder's and Rummel Insurance while Jerry was attending college and they married after his graduation.
Marlene and Jerry had 3 children and she dedicated herself to being an at home mother to raise their children and be an active part of their education and upbringing. After their children grew up, Marlene spent time working at the family business, Hensler Furniture Restoration. She also enjoyed bowling in local leagues – women's and mixed for many years and was involved in numerous other groups, volunteering at the Saginaw YMCA for many years, and the Valley Lutheran H. S. Ladies Guild. Marlene was a life-long member of Peace Lutheran Church where she served on the Ladies Guild, sang in the choir, and was always active serving on numerous other groups and boards at Peace Lutheran. Marlene and Jerry enjoyed traveling around the United States and took numerous Caribbean and other cruises over the years with friends and family. For many years Marlene also enjoyed her time at their cottage on Higgins Lake with family and friends always being welcome. An avid swimmer from an early age, even teaching her mother how to swim, Marlene could generally be found in the water floating on a swim noodle and always encouraging others to join her with her “Come on in, the water's warm!” call – even if it wasn't! Like all grandmothers, Marlene cherished her time with her grandchildren and was thrilled to also become a Great-Grandma. Marlene and Jerry also collected the friendship of so many people over the years and enjoyed spending time with all of them.
Marlene is survived by her husband Jerry, son Brian (Kathy) Hensler, daughter Margo (Damian) Fisher, and son Scott (Melinda) Hensler along with Grandchildren Jeff (Lindsay) Hensler, Matt Hensler and fiancé Karli Zubeck, Spencer DeWaele, Stuart DeWaele, Nolan Hensler, Cora Hensler, and two Great Grandchildren, Daniel DeWaele and Leland Hensler with a third due in September. Also surviving are her sisters Mary Ann (Ed) Wojahn, Barbara Worden, Charlotte (Casey) Cavelle, brothers-in law, James Hensler, David Hensler, and special cousin Fred Hensler
Marlene was predeceased by her parents Erwin and Lorna Kern, in-laws Alfred and Dorthea Hensler, brothers-in-law Richard Hensler, Harold Worden and sisters-in-laws Henrietta Hensler, Sharon Hensler, and Diane Hensler.
The family would like to express their sincere and deepest gratitude to the staff at Edgewood Assisted Living of Saginaw for their outpouring of care, love, and support that they gave and shared with mom during her stay there.
Visitation will take place on Friday, May 17, 2024 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Ave. Saginaw. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 10:00 am at Peace Lutheran Church, 3427 Adams Ave., Saginaw until the time of the Funeral Service at 11:00 am. Pastor Erik Schmidt will officiate. Burial will take place at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Saginaw.
Memorials to Marlene in lieu of flowers can be made to Peace Lutheran Church, Valley Lutheran High School, and The Castle Museum of Saginaw County.
For information, please call Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989)-755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com
Events
There are no events for Marlene yet.
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Memories
CH
Cathy Beiser Haglund
Other •
To the Hensler family, so sorry to hear of the passing of Marlene. She was a beautiful person inside and out. Always enjoyed our visits at church and enjoyed working with her in the Ladies Guild. She was always helpful and energetic and served with a smile. May you find peace in the days ahead knowing she is with our dear Lord and celebrating her new life. May your memories of her keep you smiling every day.
Dennis and Cathy Haglund
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Nancy Kaufman
Other •
It was my pleasure to have met Marlene and share stories about Higgins Lake. Any time the sun was shining you could find Marlene outside soaking up the warmth.
Nancy Kaufman
Edgewood Assisted Living Center
MH
Mary Jane Hartman
Other •
I got to know Marlene while attending Peace Lutheran Church. She was a very thoughtful and kind person. Through Lou Ann Jakes, I got to know her even better. We bought a cottage on Higgins Lake and later moved up here permanently. We visited with Jerry and Marlene several times, a few with Lou Ann and Jim. She loved it up here and I believe she perhaps was one of the first to jump in the lake each year.
She will be missed by many. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Mary Jane Hartman
JH
Judy Hillman
Other •
Dear Family of Marlene Hensler.
May the unending love, support and peace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, be yours at this time. “He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.” Isaiah 40:11. Rest in Jesus. Judy Hillman.
JB
John and Betty Baird
Other •
Dear Jerry and Family. As you know, Sundance Shores on Higgins Lake and friends there became a part of our summer family year after year. We have such precious memories of weekends spent together swimming, eating and boating and just plain being together. I do remember one Saturday morning in particular when it was determined the pump house needed cleaning. We gathered early in the morning and Marlene supervised a thorough cleaning and organizing emphasizing cleanliness and organization. We were even inspired to go up in the attic and check that out. So many memories we hold dear - Rest In Peace dear friend and we pray God will comfort you all during these difficult days. Love, John and Betty and all the Bairds.