Henseleit Honored As Outstanding Tilden Citizen

​Although Larry Henseleit doesn’t think he does any more than the rest of the citizens in Tilden, the community believes otherwise.

Henseleit, who was named Tilden’s Outstanding Citizen for 2017, was honored during the parade at Tilden Prairie Days this weekend. Henseleit was first nominated for the award by members in the community and then selected for his commitment and service to the Tilden Community.

“Tilden is my hometown and I want to help people out and keep the community growing and do whatever I can to make things be successful,” Henseleit said.

Henseleit, who is heavily involved in the basketball community in Tilden, SIAD it was his two daughters, Jamie and Lisa, who first got him started. He didn’t just want to teach them the fundamentals of the game, but also how to treat other people and how to respect and love the game. Though his daughters are now out of high school, Henseleit continues to make an impact through coaching in the community.

“One of my more enjoyable experiences is working with the kids in club ball and trying to get them started and guided down the right track and road,” said Henseleit. “The success we have had here with our sports makes me very happy with what has happened here throughout the years.”

Along with being involved with basketball, Henseleit is also involved in scooping sidewalks in the winter for the elderly, offering kids jobs in the summertime and helping in the community wherever it is needed. But one of his main contributions to the Tilden community is helping run Ribfest.

“It’s very rewarding to see the success that we have had with our Ribfest here – the weekend that we have it, the turnout we get and the community support,” said Henseleit.

Henseleit, who has been a lifelong citizen of Tilden, doesn’t serve the community to be recognized. He does it for the betterment of Tilden.

“I just do it because I want to see things continue in the right way of keeping things going and making things a success and helping out the community and helping people,” said Henseleit.

​Whether it is on the basketball court, or in the community Larry Henseleit has unselfishly devoted his time energy toward the community of Tilden.