Crowley, LA (June 21, 2024) - Michael Keith Hensgens passed away peacefully after a 17-year battle with Parkinsons on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at his home in Crowley, Louisiana at the age of 67.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Monday, June 24, 2024, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Fr. Brent Smith, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne will be officiating for the services. The family is requesting visiting hours to be held Sunday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Monday from 8:00 am to 9:30 am at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Crowley. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm Sunday. Interment will be in St. Lawrence Mausoleum in Mowata.
Michael was born on November 30, 1956, in Crowley, Louisiana to Catherine (Kitty) Schneider Hensgens and Raymond Aloysius Hensgens. He attended Notre Dame High School and received his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University in Agronomy before returning to Crowley to continue working for the family business G&H Seed Company with his father Raymond, and brother, Wayne Hensgens. Michael worked at G&H first as a field agronomist, followed by establishing and managing a location in Church Point. He returned to Crowley in 1992 to assume the role of business manager.
Michael embarked on multiple business and governmental ventures related to agriculture, including Horizon Ag, LLC in Memphis, and Deere Park, Inc. outside of Abbeville, while also serving as a member of the American Seed Trade Association, LA Seed Commission, Southern Seed Association, LA Rice Political Action Committee, Crawfish Processors Alliance, LA Agricultural Industries Association, and LA Agriculture Advisory Board.
He also worked with the Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture’s office to assist in the development of legislation and policies that directly affect farmers. In 2012, Michael was recognized by the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station for Distinguished Service to the Rice Industry.
Michael is survived by his wife of 11 years, Catherine Wyble Hensgens of Crowley; two children, Josef Hensgens and his wife Julianne of Baton Rouge, and Adam Hensgens of Baton Rouge; two stepchildren, Jolene B. Heard and her husband Cooper of Shreveport, and Jeanette B. Link and her husband Kerry of Crowley; three siblings, Jennifer Hensgens Mixon and her husband Judge James of Bunkie, Wayne Hensgens and his wife Debbie of Crowley, and Mark Hensgens and his husband Tim Armstrong of Crowley; nine grandchildren, Korra Hensgens, Aidan Heard, Cooper Heard, Jr., Nathanial Link and his wife Mary, Amalie Link, Jackson Link, Helen Link, Wallace Link, and Shepard Link; and one great grandchild, Eleanor Link.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Kitty Schneider Hensgens; and one brother, Raymond Hensgens, Jr.
Pallbearers will be Josef Hensgens, Adam Hensgens, Wayne Hensgens, Mark Hensgens, Patrick Hensgens, Patrick Barber, and Jackson Link.
Honorary pallbearers are James Mixon Sr., Tim Armstrong, Joseph Darby, John Darby, Gregory Reggie, Dr. Cooper Heard, and Kerry Link.
Special thanks are due to his caregivers, Pauline St. Andre and Brooke White, as well as services provided by Hospice of Acadiana.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation: https://give.michaeljfox.org and/or Notre Dame Catholic High School: 910 N. Eastern Ave. Crowley, LA 70526
Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley.