Evelyn (Schmidt) Hensley passed away peacefully on June 29,2023 at Cumbernauld Village in Winfield, at the age of 104.
Evelyn was born in Durham Park Township in Marion County, Kansas to Reinhardt and Julia (Nuss) Schmidt, on January 22, 1919. She was baptized into the Christian faith on March 25, 1919. In 1927, the family moved to a farm south of Tampa. Her mother died very unexpectedly two years later, leaving the family devastated.
Evelyn attended elementary and high school in Tampa, Kansas graduating in 1937. As a young woman, she worked in area restaurants and as a housekeeper and cook for a Wichita family. On June 24, 1944, she married James Hensley at St. John's Lutheran Church in Tampa. Once all her children were in school, she worked at Havlik Grocery and George's Market. In later years she worked for the United States Postal Service as a clerk in Tampa and Post Master in Durham. She retired in September 1984 following 22 years of service. In retirement, Evelyn and Jim enjoyed winters in Weslaco, Texas until he died in 1986. With the help of her children, Evelyn continued to be a Snowbird for many years.
She was a devoted wife, mother, Sunday School and VBS teacher, 4-H leader, hospital Pink Lady and volunteer EMT. She was a life long Lutheran with membership at St. John's, Tampa and Trinity Lutheran, Winfield. In 2003, Evelyn moved to Winfield, Kansas to be closer to her family. At the age of 99 she discontinued her favorite hobby of sewing quilts for missions.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law Gary Utt, granddaughter Kelly (Utt) Naegele and her seven siblings: Esther Schmidt, Ruth Klein, Harry Schmidt, Edna Vajnar, Ida Backhus, Frieda Klein, and Reinhardt Schmidt.
She is survived by her children: Jim (Lisa) Hensley of McKinney, Texas, Rita Hensley (Charles Quinn), Pam (Lawrence) Moreno and Julie Utt all of Winfield, Kansas. Grandchildren: Charles (Danielle) Quinn Jr., Benjamin Quinn, David (Mary) Bruner and John Utt. Great grandchildren: Elasah Quinn, Micah Quinn, Hananiah Quinn, Addy Bruner, Shawn Naegele (Renee Padilla), Ryan Naegele, Aria Utt and Dawson Utt. Great great grandchildren: Bradley Naegele Padilla, Katherine Naegele Padilla.
Celebration of Life 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 3, 2023 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Tampa officiated by Rev. Clark M. Davis. Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the Church on Monday. In lieu of flowers memorials to St. John's Lutheran Church or Winfield Food Pantry in care of Jost Funeral Home P.O. Box 266 Hillsboro, KS 67063. Online condolences at www.jostfuneralhome.com