Winfried “Win” Hensel passed away on January 8, 2018 surrounded by his wife of 67 years, Donna, his daughters, Lynne and Sally, and their spouses, Larry Kameya and Jan Thornberg.  His granddaughter Lauren and her husband Eric Conrath also survive him.

Win was born in Weyauwega, Wisconsin, the son of Pastor Maximillan Hensel and Elsie Dobrient Hensel. As a teenager he moved to Milwaukee and spent the majority of his life in the area. His final move was to Tudor Oaks, a retirement community in Muskego, south of Milwaukee.  He spent his career in the field of finance, retiring after 39 years at the Falk Corporation as their credit manager.

Win loved sports. He fervently rooted for the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers.  He loved to ski and took his family to Upper Michigan on ski trips each year when his daughters were young. He also golfed and curled, but his true passion was tennis. He continued doubles tennis late into his eighties. His tennis buddies, the “Wimbledons”, continued to meet for monthly lunches after “sports injuries” forced them into retirement.

Win also loved to travel. When the girls were young, the family would set out each summer for a camping trip. In their nifty little Nimrod, an early pop-up trailer, they explored much of the US.  Later, he and Donna purchased a resort timeshare. Each winter the family gathered in Mexico for a week of swimming, snorkeling and sunning.  We celebrated his 90th birthday in Playa del Carmen two years ago.

Family gatherings always included card games. Whether it was “Dirty Hearts”, gin rummy, sheepshead, cribbage or Wizard, Win invariably was the winner or a close contender. He was disappointed his girls didn’t learn to play bridge so that there would be a ready foursome in the house. He started playing skat with his dad as a child and kept playing cards until the end.  He may have been a bit forgetful about names and places, but he routinely came home from sheepshead and bridge games at Tudor Oaks with a pocket full of nickels.

Above all, Win loved his family and his church. He was never happier than when his family was gathered round, preferably around a dinner table with good food and drink. And his dedication to his church and his God were unwavering.  He was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church for over 60 years where he served as an Elder and Trustee and regularly attended Bible classes.

Win will be missed by family and friends.  We like to think that he is still playing cards, this time with the angels.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Win’s honor to Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin,  647 W Virginia St, Milwaukee WI 53204.

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