Member since: 1978
Hometown: Westphalia, Iowa
Jim Henscheid was born and raised in Westphalia, Iowa, and followed in the footprints of his grandfather who was a Grand Knight. That eventually led him to find his place with the Knights of Columbus in West Des Moines at St. Francis of Assisi Council 12422.
Following high school, Jim pursued three different degrees, starting with a degree in psychology from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 1982. Then Jim earned an MBA at Maryville University in St. Louis in 1993, while also pursuing a law degree that he earned in 1994 from St. Louis University.
After he received his law degree, he returned to Des Moines and worked at Mercy Hospital dealing with managed care issues for two years. With some guidance and consideration Jim left Mercy and worked for a regional bank chain called Brenton Bank for two years as an attorney. Brenton Bank was acquired by Wells Fargo and from there Jim worked in the law department until December of 2020 when he retired.
Family
Jim and his wife Joan have been married for 38 years and have raised three children together, two boys and one girl. Their middle son is a member of the Knights. Many of his uncles and great uncles participated in the Knights of Columbus along with his grandfather.
“My grandfather was a Grand Knight and a very strong supporter of the Knights of Columbus,” Jim says. “That was my encouragement when I was 18 to 19 years old, to get involved.”
Activity involvement
Jim has served on the executive committee for many years as a past Grand Knight and always finds himself volunteering for events such as the fish fries, clothes drives and Easter egg hunts.
“Being a Knight gives you the opportunity to serve,” Jim says. “The scripture verse that is burned in my brain is Matthew 25, ‘.... when did I see you naked or hungry or imprisoned…’, and the Knights allow me to fulfill that mission.”
Jim encourages young men to sign up and to get involved with the Knights of Columbus.
“It’s a great way to meet a lot of neat men,” he says. “You can do a lot of good things for your Church and your community and it’s a great avenue to live your faith.”