Jesse Martin Hensel, 81, of Hutchinson, died February 20, 2025, at Hospice House, with his loving family by his side. He was born October 6, 1943, in Dodge City, to Walter M. and Goldie (Bunch) Hensel.
Jesse graduated from Dodge City High School in 1962, and loved to tell of playing the trombone in the marching band in the 1961 Rose Bowl Parade. He also played basketball and baseball, was in a bowling league and was a member of the Walther League.
He stayed in Dodge City to begin his collegiate career at Dodge City Community College. There, he was a member of the Conquistadors basketball team, which beat Casper College 73-68 to win the 1964 National Junior College Athletic Association Division I National Championship, an accomplishment that landed he and his teammates in the Dodge City CC Athletics Hall of Fame. He then went on to play basketball at Kansas Wesleyan University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He later attended Emporia State University, where he earned his master’s degree in education.
Jesse honorably served in the United States Army from 1966-1968, then embarked upon a 29-year career as an educator, teaching physical education at Sherman Middle School in Hutchinson.
One of his proudest accomplishments was the 34 years he spent as a college and high school football, basketball and softball official, working games across the state of Kansas with a crew of guys that became his closest friends. He delighted in sharing tales of his adventures on the gridiron and hardwood, the players he watched ascend from the high school game to college and pro sports stardom, and the many after-game meals he shared with his officiating crews. Even after he retired, those who watched games with him got a master class in officiating, as he couldn’t help but critique the refs.
He maintained his passion for sports in retirement, watching just about every sporting event that came on TV, but most importantly his beloved New York Yankees and Kansas Jayhawks basketball. He also spent the months of August to January poring over fantasy football notes. For many years he competed in a league with his childhood best friend, Jim Reidl, and his sons, and it became one of his favorite pursuits.
When he wasn’t tending to his fantasy football team, he spent his days collecting sports cards and delving into the world of Hot Wheels collecting. He was well-known to many retail workers from Hutchinson to Emporia, as he obsessively sought the special Treasure Hunt versions of the miniature automobiles. He could tell you what new models were due to be released, the day and time delivery trucks typically arrived at area stores and when new stock would be put on the shelves. In that hobby, he found some kindred spirits his family often heard about.
He also spent many years playing Texas Hold ‘Em at the Moose Lodge in Hutchinson. His family isn’t really sure whether he ended his card-playing career up or down in earnings, but he was rich with stories he brought home from each session, and boy, did he love telling his stories.
Many of those stories were relayed to his son-in-law, Brent Adams, a broadcaster and journalist, whom he sometimes accompanied to basketball games for which Brent was doing play-by-play for radio. He’d share the tales of his playing and officiating days and spend the drive home breaking down the officials’ performance. They loved to talk sports and looked forward to fishing outings, where they tried to outdo one another with the biggest bass and shared many laughs along the way.
All of those pursuits began to take a backseat when his true passion came around: his grandkids. Holding that national championship trophy couldn’t have compared to the smile he beamed the first time he held his twin granddaughters, Brinley and Madison Adams, in 2016, his granddaughter Elaina Adams in 2018, or when he got his first grandson, Milo Hensel, later that year. He delighted in the time he spent talking and playing card games with them when they would visit, and even challenged himself to learn technology to be able to regularly FaceTime with them. He loved buying cards and thoughtful gifts for them and never missed an opportunity to show them how much they were loved and appreciated.
He was also fiercely proud of his daughters, Stacey and Stephanie. He often shared stories of his fond memories of their childhood and beamed with pride when he spoke of their professional accomplishments and how they handled the challenges of motherhood.
And one of the sweetest ways he will be remembered was for the love and care he shared for his wife, Rita Clara Young, whom he married on August 16, 1969. They were married for 55 years, and built a relationship dedicated to God and family.
Jesse was a gentleman and spread his kindness to those around him. He went out of his way to offer a compliment to those he knew, and many he didn’t, with genuine sincerity.
He was a long-time member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, where he frequently served as an usher, and on the board.
He is survived by: his wife, Rita; daughters, Stacey Hensel of Brooklyn, NY, Stephanie Adams and husband Brent of Spring Hill, TN; grandchildren, Madison, Brinley, and Elaina Adams, and Milo Hensel.
Jesse was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Don.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E. 12th, Hutchinson, with military honors conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard. The service will be livestreamed on the church’s website: https://orlhutch.org/
Friends may sign his memorial book from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.