James Hensel

MISSOULA - James Andrew Hensel left us to go to happier hunting grounds Monday, Feb. 16, 2009.

He was born in Missoula to Andrew and Gloria Hensel on May 29, 1946. He was the second of four children. Jim grew up in Missoula, and shared many unforgettable adventures with his friends and his crow, Maynard.

He graduated from Missoula County High School in 1964. He then joined the U.S. Navy and proudly served four years aboard the USS Manley, including two tours of duty in Vietnam.

After discharge, he returned to Missoula and the mountains he loved. He spent many hours either traipsing through the fresh snow, scouting out the tracks of the ever elusive trophy elk, or by a favorite creekside or lake, fishing for the big one that always seemed to get away. Jim would rather sit on a mountainside than any throne, because he was truly a king of the outdoors.

Jim loved to fly. He had his private pilot’s license. He built, flew and crashed many remote-control airplanes. Jim worked for approximately 40 years at what is now known at Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation as a master boilertender.

He was preceded in death by his father, Andrew Hensel; and nephew, Eric Zachariasen.

Survivors include his sons, Brian (Julissa) and Cody (Laney), both of Missoula; his grandchildren, Ellie, Miller and Madden, all of Missoula; his mother, Gloria; sisters, Cheryl (Harold) Zachariasen of Missoula, Jean (Richard) Brugger of Butte and Janice (Robert) Hensel of Missoula; nieces, Robyn Anderson of Post Falls, Idaho, Amy Brugger of Butte, and Krista Zachariasen of Missoula; nephews, Rodney and Scott Zachariasen, and Doug Brugger, all of Missoula; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Goodbye Jim, you will surely be missed. Memories will be shared at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Missoula Country Club.

Read James Hensel's Obituary and Guestbook.