Roger M. Kensler, 88, of Libby

Roger Mahlon Kensler passed away of natural causes on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at the Libby Care Center.  

He was born April 8, 1925, in Spokane, Wash., to Leslie Clyde and Veta (Hennings) Kensler.  

Roger attended school from first through fourth grade in Troy and then moved to Kalispell and lived with his grandparents, the Hennings.  

He re-turned to Troy as a high school freshman and lived with his grandparents, the Kenslers.  He graduated with the class of 1943.  

Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He served in Europe as a navigator with the 493rd Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force. He was honorably discharged in 1946.  

After his discharge, Roger returned to Troy. He married Flora Mae Sagen on April 8, 1946, (his 21st birthday).  Roger and his cousin, Jerry, opened Kensler’s Market in 1946 on Main Street in Troy. In 1949, they needed to expand and built what is now Gambles. Needing to expand further, they built the building on the highway in 1966.  They remained at that location until their retirement in 1981.

After retirement, Roger and Flora did a lot of traveling, their favorite destination being Hawaii.

Roger was very active in the Troy Volunteer Fire Department. He served many years as chairman of the Troy School Board; was on the 1st Nation Bank Board; and the St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Board.  

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, and El Katif Shrine in Spokane. Roger was also one of the founding members of the Troy Businessmen. He served several years as mayor of Troy.  

At the time of his death, he was a member of the Troy United Methodist Church.  

He was preceded in death by his wife, Flora,  on Dec.  10, 2001; an infant daughter; his parents; and sister, Lorene Dillard.

On May 17, 2003, he married Beverly Steiner of Hamilton. She passed away in December 2011.

Roger is survived by his daughter, Gwenn of Troy; son, Ward, of Everett, Wash.; daughter, Andrea (Frank)Chiaverini of Troy; his cousin and closest friend, Jerry,  and wife, Ann of Troy; his sister, Gail Loiselle of Spokane, Wash.; nieces and nephews, Shelly, Pam, Sharon, Darrell, Karen, Bruce, Gary, John, Keith, Doug, Rodney and Earl; and his two very special grandsons of Troy, Angelo Stephan and Dominic Django Kensler-Chiaverini.  

His gruff exterior hid a marshmallow heart.

A memorial service for Roger will be 2 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2013,  at the Troy United Methodist Church.  

In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate donations to the Shriners Hospital in Spokane, which held a major place of importance in his heart.  

Local arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory of Libby.