Alois John "Al" Hennes

A Good Man
Al Hennes went to heaven on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015. He just wore his big heart out. He died in the home he handcrafted for the love of his life, Bonnie Hennes, two days after they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.

He was born at his parent's farm, outside of DeLacs, North Dakota, on May 11, 1925. He was the 14th out of 15 children born to Joseph and Cecilia Hennes. He was one of the few remaining of "The Greatest Generation". A self-made man, he was orphaned at age 15. After working as a farm hand for a few years, he enlisted in the Navy during WWII at age 18 and was stationed in England until the end of the European conflict.

After the war he returned to North Dakota, worked as a farm hand and eventually purchased his own service station. One morning he woke up, locked the door of his station and drove 850 miles to Missoula to propose to Bonnie. They continued west to Olympia, Washington, to marry on July 31, 1947.

He and Bonnie lived in Missoula for a short time, then returned to DeLacs and started their family – three children in three years – Randy, Deanna and Annette. Following extended family and work opportunity, they returned to Montana, first Stevensville where their 4th child Mark was born, and then to Missoula. For health reasons the family of six moved to Chandler, Arizona, where their fifth child Brian was born. After two years the family returned to Montana and settled west of Missoula as part of the Frenchtown community, where they have lived for the past 50 years.

Al worked hard to make a living for his family. He started work at Missoula Cartage in 1957 where he made his career and retired in 1987. His true passions were farming and family. After his retirement he was able to fulfill his dream by sitting on a tractor, working the fields and spending time with the people he loved.

His true legacy to this life is the family he and Bonnie raised and nurtured, Randy (Dyana) Hennes, Josh (Jenny) Hennes, their sons Tyler, Troy and TJ; Davida Vangan (Jason) and son Max, Whitney (Mario) DiFronzo; Deanna (Jon) Parker, Erin Parker and children Cecelia and Gus; Ian Parker (Erin Rose); Christopher Parker (Ashley) and son Braden; Annette (Mike) Doyle, Rachel LaCasse (George Mullen) and children Kiley and Keegan; Chad (Zephanie) and son Zavier; Shane (Kristie) LaCasse and children MacKenzie and Kadin; Mark (Joey) Hennes, sons Andy (Val) Hennes and daughters Libby, Bailey and Lexi; Benjamin Hennes (Chris Brown); Brian Hennes (Ed Bonilla).

Al touched the lives of so many people it is impossible to mention them all. From the mid-west to Montana to the west coast, you know who you are. Countless nieces, nephews, co-workers, friends and acquaintances have all felt his kindness, wisdom and love.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Missoula. Immediately following, he will be laid to rest with full military honors at Sunset Memorial Gardens with a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations are made to Camp Mak-A-Dream or The American International Heart Institute of Montana.

Read Alois Hennes's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.