Eric Matthew Hensel

Eric M. Hensel, 45, of Washington, passed from this life on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospital. A visitation will be held Friday, December 29, 2023, from noon until 6 PM at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington, where the family will greet friends from 3 – 6 PM. There will be a time of sharing memories at 6 PM, and folks are asked to wear a graphic t-shirt in memory of Eric. The time of sharing will be available via Livestream at the Beatty Peterseim Website, Facebook and YouTube pages.  Eric will be cremated following this gathering and his cremains will be inurned at Elm Grove Cemetery at a later date. A memorial fund has been established for the National Kidney Foundation and the transplant center at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. https://donate.givetoiowa.org/s/1773/giving/19/interior.aspx?sid=1773&gid=2&pgid=509&cid=1288&dids=678&appealcode=GFWEB

Eric Matthew Hensel was born August 17, 1978, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Fredrick and Debra (Whitten) Hensel. He graduated from Washington High School in 1997 and graduated from Indian Hills Community College. He was employed at Archer Appliance and US Cellular, and most recently at Target in Coralville. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Washington, and enjoyed gaming, watching movies and comic books. Eric also loved to go to festivals at the Amana Colonies, camping and exploring caves, golfing and reading. He was happiest when he was spending time with his friends and family.

Survivors include his mother Debra and sister Megan of Washington, good friend Sean Wagenknecht and Jennifer Simmering of Washington, paternal aunt and uncle Mark (Dorothy) Hensel of Arlington, TX, cousin Alison Garza of Arlington, TX, cousin Mark (Mary) Hensel of Carrollton, TX, cousin Susan Hensel of Manhattan, KS, maternal aunt and uncle Marla (Mike) Crew of Fairfield, IA, uncle and aunt Stan (Linda) Whitten of Keosauqua, cousins: Brandi (Greg) Adam of Batavia, IA, Cody Crew (fiancé Chrissy Hunter) of Fairfield, IA, Kyla (Ryan) Loucks of Clive, IA, Noah (Mary) Whitten of Fenton, MO, Hallie Whitten of Coralville, and numerous other cousins and friends.

Preceding Eric in death was his father Fred, paternal grandparents Clint and Mary Hensel, maternal grandparents Gib and Evelyn Whitten, and paternal aunt and uncle Ken (Jane) Hensel.