Frank John Hensiak, Jr.

Frank John Hensiak, Jr. passed away peacefully on January 3, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Frank was born on September 13, 1934 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Frank J. and Cecilia Hensiak (nee Palkowski).

Frank is survived by his wife of 65 years, Judith (“Judy”) Ann Hensiak (nee Killoren), his son, Michael (“Tim”) Timothy Hensiak, his daughter, Kathryn (“Beanie”) Hensiak Amato, son-in-law, Salvatore Dominic Amato, and his grandchildren, Dominic Salvatore Amato, Hattie Cecelia Amato, and Gracie Rose Amato. Frank was preceded in death by his mother, father, brother Ervin Hensiak and sisters Lorraine (Norbert) Kantorski, Dolores (George) Smukowski, and Geraldine (Lawrence) Sickler. He is survived by his sister Florence Hensiak, sisters-in-law Patricia (Larry) Luostari and Peggy Killoren, and brother-in-law Michael (“Mick”) Killoren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Frank graduated from South Division High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1952. He excelled at track (hurdles), football (long snapper), and chess. After high school, he served for several years in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. After his military service, Frank attended Milwaukee Institute of Technology, and received his associate’s degree in drafting. With his signature smile and sense of humor, Frank liked to tell people he was a graduate of “MIT.” After graduation, he began working as a draftsman at General Electric. Shortly thereafter, he met Judy in the breakroom. They married on November 26, 1960. Frank was a true “company man,” working for GE his entire career. He insisted that every appliance and light bulb was GE, reflecting his commitment and devotion to all things he held dear.

Frank loved living on Mark Drive in New Berlin, Wisconsin and he lived on Mark Drive with Judy for 52 years. He took pleasure in the simple yet rewarding tasks of homeownership - cutting the grass, raking the leaves, shoveling the snow in the winter to “stay ahead of the storm,” and washing his car on the driveway. In the afternoon, it was common to see him outside in his favorite lawn chair eating his beloved Klondike ice cream bars. 

Frank had many hobbies and talents but none that he loved more than the game of golf. He claimed he was “just a hacker” but that simply showed his humbleness. Throughout retirement, he enjoyed golfing in leagues at Greenfield Park, Whitnall Park, and New Berlin Hills. Frank also enjoyed other pursuits during retirement including biking, volleyball, and softball. Frank read the newspaper front to back every day, watched the PBS Newshour every night, and enjoyed a good documentary or book about U.S. history. He loved number puzzles and word searches. For decades, he and Judy enjoyed attending Badger football games in Madison, Wisconsin. One of Frank’s greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren. He cheered them on at their hockey games, showed them around the Wisconsin State Fair (cream puffs and the giant slide), and gave them wheelbarrow rides around the yard. 

Frank’s family would like to thank the many friends and neighbors on Mark Drive for their love and support. The family would also like to thank Beth at Touching Hearts, the kind staff at Tudor Oaks Health Center and Discovery Commons in Brookfield, and the ICU team on the 7th floor at Froedtert Hospital, especially RN Rachel, for their compassionate care during Frank’s last days.

A private family interment at Saint Adalbert’s Cemetery is planned for later this spring.