Mike Henningsen, Sr., former president and CEO of Henningsen Cold Storage Co., Portland, Ore., passed away Jan. 3.

Mike was born in Portland, Ore., to Walt and Amy Henningsen. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1957 and the University of Oregon in 1961, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta. In the summer of 1961, the Oregon Duck married Mike and his wife Sue (Bergeron), and together they left for Ft. Lee, Va. The newly commissioned Lieutenant and his wife started their family with the birth of their first son, Mike Jr., on Andrews Air force Base in Ogden, Utah.

After serving in the Army, Mike began his career in the refrigerated warehousing industry in American Falls, Idaho, where daughter, Mary Sue, and son, Chris, joined the family. They soon moved back to Portland where their son, Eric, was born. In Portland, Mike served as president and CEO of the family business, Henningsen Cold Storage Co., a company started by his grandfather in 1923. His hard work, core values and commitment to family, company associates, industry and community allowed Mike to expand the business from a one-warehouse operation to a multi-state, industry leader, serving the needs of food processors and distributors worldwide.

After 31 years of service, Mike retired in 1999, at the young age of 60 to pursue his passion for fishing, hunting and playing golf. Mike also enjoyed traveling with Sue to The Soviet Union, China, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Panama, Europe and many other explorations throughout the United States. The couple particularly enjoyed their annual visits to Kauai with family and friends.

Mike is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sue; children, Mike, Mary Wallace (John), Chris (Ava) and Eric; eight grandchildren (Joey, Bridgette, Anna, Madeline, Lee, Sam, Matthew and Will); and his brother, Paul Henningsen, Sr. Mike's parents, Walt and Amy; and brother, Walter Henningsen, predeceased him.

A funeral mass takes place Jan. 8 at 11 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1280 N.W. Saltzman Rd., Portland, OR. A lunch reception immediately follows in the Community Center.

Rememberances may be made to The Macdonald Center, 605 N.W. Couch St., Portland, OR, www.macdcenter.org, where Mike served on the board of directors under the direction of Fr. Dick Berg and Mary Susan Richen.