Gerald Hensgen 

Gerald Joseph Hensgen, 77, of Milton, passed away Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014, at home with his wife by his side following a long battle with Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease. Jerry was born on Oct. 17, 1936, in Kenosha, Wis., the son of the late Joseph J. and Florence E. (Wyk) Hensgen. He graduated from St. Marys High School, in Kenosha in 1953. Jerry worked for American Motors Corporation for 30 years as a skilled tradesman, retiring in 1986. Because of his love of nature, he attended Gateway in Kenosha and graduated with an associates degree in Horticulture. He started a tree nursery in Somers, Wis., and continued to maintain that after retirement. It was later sold and is known today as Almost Eden. Jerry spent six years in the Army Reserves. He was an avid outdoorsman and longtime member of the KYF in Kenosha. It is said he fished every lake in Kenosha County. He had lake homes on Lake Lauderdale and Geneva. He was a long distance runner and belonged to the 1000 mile club. Jerry was a skilled scuba diver and underwater photographer. He spent his retirement hours swimming, running, and metal detecting. He was an almost daily visitor to the YMCA. ON May 7, 1994, Jerry married Barbara J. Kerchoff. They both enjoyed camping and traveling and the outdoors. They made their home in Lake Geneva until moving to Milton in 2004.

Jerry is survived by his wife and four siblings, Richard J. (Joan) Hensgen of Sarasota, Fla., Rosemary H. (Thomas) Pavlovich of Kenosha, Wis., Pat A. (Norman) Unti of Cedarburg, Wis., Walter J. Hensgen of Kenosha and several nieces, nephews, and a very special person, Misty. He was preceded in death by his parents, a stepson, David P. Kerchoff of Milton, Wis., and aunts and uncles.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Milton with Fr. Dave Timmerman officiating. Burial will follow at Rock  River Cemetery. Visitation will be held Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until the start of the service. ALBRECHT FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATION SERVICES, MILTON are assisting the family with arrangements.

A special thanks to all his caregivers, Jerrys Girls, Alternative Home Care, Jordan and Beloit Regional Hospice. Memorials may be made in Jerrys name to the Edgerton Hospital or Beloit Hospice.