Karl J. Henschel

Karl Julius Henschel, 89, of Bathgate, ND passed away Friday, April 12, 2024, at Pembina County Memorial Hospital in Cavalier, ND. Funeral service will be held Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church, Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier.

Karl Julius Henschel was born the last of 10 children to Julius and Juliane (Drager) Henschel on May 15,1934 in Hallson, ND. He attended country school there for several years. His family moved to Carlisle Township where his parents farmed, and he continued his education at Carlisle #9. Dad was awarded for his perfect attendance during his 7th grade year and graduated from 8th grade at the City Auditorium in Cavalier on June 15, 1948.

Karl worked on the farm with his family until joining the U. S. Army in 1956. He served actively in Germany until 1961 as an engineer equipment repairman and was transferred to standby reserve in August of 1961. Dad was decorated with the Good Conduct Medal and presented with the Sharpshooter Badge (Carbine) and Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle) during his tenure. He was honorably discharged in April of 1964.

Dad married Mom, Deloris Jean Saiger, on October 6th of 1961 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Grand Forks. They moved to the Bathgate area in 1962. Dad was farming, and they spent the winters in Grand Forks from 1964-1967. Dad worked at the potato house, various gas stations, and Rydell’s. In 1968, they built a house on Mom’s parents’ farm east of Bathgate that still stands today. They became members of Christ Lutheran Church in Neche. Dad started farming on his own in the Bathgate and Carlisle areas until 1992. In 1969, he began working winters at Motor Coach Industries until retiring in 1999. Dad spent a brief period of time working in the warehouse and truck at Happy Harry’s in Pembina, and enjoyed driving beet truck in Bathgate for McColl Farms.

After Kelly, Karla, and Karmen were born, the folks stayed in the Bathgate area to live and work. Dad and Mom enjoyed playing cards with relatives in Cavalier and weekly games of Smear, the game of choice, were held at Reiny’s Bar in
Bathgate. When Mom passed away in June of 2023, Dad was a resident at Wedgewood Manor in Cavalier until his death.

Karl is survived by Kelly (Jayme) Henschel, Pembina, ND, Karla (Amy) Henschel, Bathgate, ND, Karmen Ruffatto, Columbus, MT, Deb Henschel, Vergas, MN, Jeff Ruffatto, Columbus, MT; his grandchildren Kassondra (Darren) Henschel, Vergas, MN, Megan (Justin) Tweeton, Perham, Joanna (Chandler) Wickham, Billings, MT, Kari Ruffatto, Columbus, MT, Laightyn Henschel, Mesa, AZ; great- grandchildren Charlie and Millie Graten; and sister Ruth Tully, Bismarck, ND, and sister-in-law Hattie Henschel, Grafton, ND. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Preceding Karl in death were his parents, wife Deloris, 5 brothers, and 4 sisters.

Family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Susan Thompson, Ron Thompson from Christ Lutheran Church, and the staff members at Wedgewood Manor and Pembina County Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care.