It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dan Hensley.
Daniel Jon Hensley passed suddenly at the age of 55 on December 20th, 2016 in Kalispell from sadness.  Dan was born on the beautiful summer day of August 13th, 1961 in Kalispell to Jack and Connie (McCown) Hensley and was greeted with delight by his older brother Mark, whom was awaiting his arrival at their their home on 1st Ave West, at the house with the welcoming red door.  Dan was baptized, received his first communion, and married at Bethlehem Lutheran Church where he was a lifetime member.  
 
Dan attended Hedges Elementary School.   Kalispell's east-side is where he spent most of his life and owned his first home.  His first grade class room was directly across the street from the house where his mother was born.   His childhood was spent playing baseball in the east-side fields, swimming and ice-skating in the beauty of  Woodland Park, and making precious memories with his family and friends.  Love filled the Hensley home and life was lived to the fullest.  Summer days on Swan Lake and Flathead Lake with family were the highlight of the years.  Dan loved the water.. he loved the freedom of skiing and being at the waters edge.  He especially loved Flathead Lake and all the fun and laughter it created.   During the Fall seasons of his teen years, Dan spent time grouse hunting and fly fishing with his father, grandfather, and brother, and elk hunting with his uncle Gary in the Bob Marshal Wilderness.   Life was big, it was exciting for him, and mostly it was interesting.  He was taught many life skills through these wonderful men in his life.  Freedom was felt, and life was full of possibility.  
 
Dan graduated from Flathead High School in 1980, enjoying football, basketball, and track.  He was the starting running back his senior year for the Braves.  He accomplished many goals, and he was respected and admired by his peers.  During his senior year he earned his private pilots license, and shared wonderful stories of his flights.  He was selected in to Montana's Boys State his Junior year, and earned the Greg Little award his Freshman year.    His passion for snow skiing and golf carried throughout his life. He loved the good camaradie of Thursdays golf outings with the boys and the friendships it grew, and he enjoyed golfing with his Dad, his son, and sisters too.  He was wonderful support to his family, and was so helpful in their endeavors and was thrilled to see his son Christian excel in basketball and football, and to see Chloe find a passion in running track, and in growing to be a fine young lady.    Dan graduated from the University of Montana in 1984  earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.  His time at the UM was highlighted by his SAE Fraternity brothers, and meeting friends and family throughout his life at the Grizzly football and basketball games.   He was employed by the Valley Bank of Kalispell for over 31 years.  Dan was a sound conservative business man and loved serving his customers.  He was a member of the Buffalo Hill Golf Course,  a member of the University of Montana Alumni Association, a member of the SAE Fraternity,  and served on various community associations throughout his lifetime. 
 
In 1994 Dan married Sonya Wendt and welcomed lovingly their two precious children, Chloe Danielle in 1998, and Christian Maxwell in 2001. The family loved to vacation together and spent many days together on  Flathead Lake.  Sonya loved Dan deeply.  The love they shared throughout their 22 years of marriage kept evolving  in activity and adventure.   Their Canadian trip was a highlight, a  very special time for her  where  Dan encouraged her to try something new by putting on  fishing gear and casting!   They loved  adventure.   One of Chloe's fondest memories with her Dad was time over a special dinner where they shared favorite times together and memories of the past.. and they laughed and laughed!  She loved her Dad.  His charisma and personality will be cherished.   Christian especially enjoyed all the love and support of his father's embrace, whether in his athletics endeavors, or teaching him the life skills that will carry him through his own adulthood.  Dan was a proud father and he was loved by his children.  He encouraged the love of sports from skiing and basketball, to the simple joys of learning to a drive boat.   His life will be cherished. 

Dan will be sweetly remembered for his gentle soul, his witty sense of humor, and his desire to live life full of compassion and kindness.   His parents loved him so much, as we all did.  He will be deeply missed.
 
Dan is proceeded in death by his parents, Jack and Connie in 2011; his grandparents, Acil (Ace) and Buenetta (Siblerud) McCown, Logan and Hazel (Brown) Hensley, and Uncle Gary Robinson.
 
Dan's memory will be cherished by his wife Sonya of 22 years, his children Chloe, Christian, and Laken (from a previous relationship. Husband Jeff Anderson and son Mason.), his older brother Mark (Michelle), his sisters Jane, Jean (Brent Estep), and Joan (Joe Brennan), his uncle Bob Hensley, and family, Chuck and Karla Werk, in-laws Rod and Ilo Wendt, Nieces and Nephews:  Logan, Ryan, Jackson, Emiley, Jesee, Katherine, Christine, Caroline, Kathleen, Jack, George, Kaitlyn, Molly, and numerous Siblerud and McCown cousins and family including his Aunt Diane (McCown) & Uncle Bob McGwier,  Aunt Paula (McCown/Robinson) & Jeff Little, and their children and families, Holly McGwier Butcher, Rob McGwier,  Beth Ann Leonardo, Kristen Waggener, Rebecca Robinson, and Melissa Smith.
 
A memorial service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Tuesday, December 27th at 1pm, the day Dan's parents were married at the church 58 yrs ago.  A open house reception to honor Dan will begin at 4pm at Buffalo Hills Golf Course.   A memorial fund has been established at Valley Bank of Kalispell to help others in need.  Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the Hensley family
 

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