Louis (Louie) C. Gensley was born in Rogers City, Michigan in 1923 to Anna and Immanuel Gensley. In 1942 our dad graduated from high school in Detroit, and in 1943 enlisted in the Army at the age of 19. While in the Army, Dad was trained at Tarlton College in Stephenville, TX where he studied Engineering. In October 1944, at age 20, Louie and his regiment were deployed to England as part of the H Company in the 395th Infantry Regiment, part of the 99th Infantry Division (nicknamed the “Battle Babies” since they were fresh from America and had not seen battle yet). This was part of the first Army under General Bradley. They landed at Sword Beach (British Landing) across the bay from La Havre, France.
After being deployed to La Harve, France they were sent to Lanzerath Ridge in Belgium, where they were the opening point of the WWII Battle of the Bulge in one of the harshest winters recorded in Europe. They saw some of the fiercest fighting in the battle and were able to push on to Elsenborn Ridge. During the greatest part of the conflict (December 17th to 22nd, 1944) Dad wrote a letter home in the midst of fighting one of the fiercest battles in the Battle of the Bulge. The major phase of this battle was marked by fierce engagements, harsh weather, and high causalities. He was near the front line when he turned 21 years old. In January 1945, Dad was wounded in Belgium and was sent to France to recover. That April he was deployed back to Germany to join his company.
After WWII ended Dad returned home on Christmas Eve 1945, at the age of 22, was honorably discharged December 28, and received awards and medals which included the Purple Heart. We are so grateful to God for protecting our Dad during the war and bringing him home safely. In 1949 he joined the Air Force Reserves as an Airman 3rd Class. He was honorably discharged in 1952 after serving his country for 4 more years.
In 1950 Louie married the love of his life, Bonnie (Dolores) and were happily married for over 43 years. Together they raised 6 girls (The Gensley Girls) and resided in Redford Twp. and then moved to Northville in 1962 and lived there for over 30 years. Dad earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from Laurence Tech and was employed by Detroit Edison as an Electrical Engineer, Street Lighting Division. His office was located Downtown Northville on the second floor of the Edison Building on Dunlap and N. Center St. before moving to Detroit. Dad retired at the age of 62 and on April 9, 1994, at the age of 70 went home to be with the Lord and is interred at Rural Hill Cemetery in Northville. Our Mom, Bonnie, joined him June 14, 2016 at the age of 91 and is interred next to him at Rural Hill Cemetery, Northville, Michigan.
Thank you, Dad, and all the U.S. Service members, for your great sacrifices for our country. Your country is forever grateful. You are heroes.
We love and miss you Dad,
The Gensley Family: Jeanette (Battista), Sue (Drianis), Carol (Kuehne), Christine (Butler), Joyce (Burns) & Nancy (Rosselle)
+ 13 grandchildren (Ryan Butler & Sean Butler both served in the U.S. Marines) + 10 great grandchildren.
