Martha Hensley

Martha E. Hensley died on January 3 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. 

She was born April 1, 1928 in Dodge City, Kansas.

Martha graduated from Dodge City High School and later received Masters Degrees in Economics, Theater and Film, and Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Kansas.  She was one of the founders of the Institute for Cognitive Film Studies at the University of Kansas, an internationally recognized film institute. 

Survivors include her children:  Harriet Hensley and Daniel Harkness of Boise, Idaho; Dan Hensley and Joyce Bamberger of Seattle, Washington; John and Debi Hensley of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren Adam, Ashley, Geoff, Jessica, Julie, Justin, Lauren, Max, Nicholas, Rosa, Sam, and Zachary; and great grandchildren Abbriella, Adelyn, Derek, Nathan, and Tatiana.  She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence A. Hensley; her parents Roy and Myrtle Miller; her sister Carolyn Seidl; and her son Matthew M. Hensley.

In accordance with her wishes there will be no memorial service.  She will be buried at a family service in Dodge City.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
 

24 Condolences

  1. Jamie Linxwiler on January 4, 2012 at 5:28 pm

    So sorry to hear of your loss. My family’s thoughts and prayers are with you in this time.



  2. Margaret Fisher and family on January 4, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    Our hearts and prayers are with you. She must have been a great lady to have you as family. Let me know if there is anything I can do.



  3. Kevin McCoy on January 4, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    Dan – so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in our thoughts. – Kevin



  4. Stephanie Cole on January 4, 2012 at 5:58 pm

    What a remarkable woman she must have been. Mark and I are so sorry for your loss. Stephanie Cole



  5. Elizabeth Barry/Sandy Rabinowitch on January 5, 2012 at 12:13 am

    Dan and family–we are so sorry for your loss. Your mother was a remarkable woman. You are in our hearts and thoughts. Elizabeth, Sandy, Jess and Laura



  6. Kristin (Gurtner) Markel on January 5, 2012 at 8:49 am

    Harriet- saw your mother’s obituary in our paper. Sure sorry for you loss. Remember all the times at your house & walking home from school.



  7. Roger Shimomura on January 5, 2012 at 9:43 am

    I will miss your your paintings, your probing questions, and your sense of humanity. Thank you for calling me.



  8. Stan Trekell on January 5, 2012 at 11:18 am

    Harriet, Dan and John: Please accept my sincere condolences regarding the loss of your mother. I will always remember the “tight ship” she ran on Sixth Street in Dodge City and despite Matt’s and my best attempts to get into mischief, she was always right around the corner with a stiff reprimand. She was an inspiration to many and indeed full of life. It seems that every time I would have occasion to run into her here in Lawrence, it was in the food aisle at Dillon’s. We would always stop to chat and to share the news of the day. May serenity and peace be yours in the difficult days ahead.



  9. Trudy Gillette Reiss on January 5, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    Read the Daily globe today about your loss. Wanted to say we are sorry. Mrs. Hensley always welcomed you into her home and made you feel like one of the family. I remember once we all went caroling and Carla Langhofer had an accident and had to put Dan’s cordoroy pants on and they were so short. We had hot chocolate and a wonderful time. God Bless you all. Trudy



  10. Rod Horton on January 5, 2012 at 7:07 pm

    Harriet, Dan and Family, so very sorry for your loss – she was a wonderful lady



  11. Gil Dammond, Jocelyn Young and Celine Dammond on January 5, 2012 at 11:11 pm

    Dan and Joyce – our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Martha sounds like she was a fascinating person and I wish we’d had a chance to know her. All our best.



  12. Birgit Boeing and family on January 6, 2012 at 2:31 am

    Dan,Joyce,Rosa and Max
    We are so sorry for the loss of your mother. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
    Dan, now your mother is not where she was, but she is everywhere, where you are.



  13. Joseph and Barbara Anderson on January 6, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    Dear Harriet,
    Our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your mother. She was such an inspiration to us all. We have never known anyone with more courage and strength of character.



  14. Jan Henry Scoggins on January 6, 2012 at 11:55 pm

    Harriet, you may or may not remembe the Henry’s from St. Cornelius in Dodge City, but I and the one nearest your age. How ironnic that on New Year’s Day I was talking about your mother with John Treder. He had send Christmas Cards with a picture of the Altar that our mother had drawn. I am so sorry and sad for you and your family. I remember your mother as one of the most beautiful ladies I had met. Her obituary was nice to read. What a successful woman she was. — My mother, Trudy Henry, passed away at age 92 just a bit over a year ago. I send my deepest condolences to you and please know that you are thought of by the “old-timers” at St. Cornelius Episcopal Church in Dodge



  15. Jan Henry Scoggins on January 6, 2012 at 11:56 pm

    Harriet, you may or may not remembe the Henry’s from St. Cornelius in Dodge City, but I and the one nearest your age. How ironnic that on New Year’s Day I was talking about your mother with John Treder. He had send Christmas Cards with a picture of the Altar that our mother had drawn. I am so sorry and sad for you and your family. I remember your mother as one of the most beautiful ladies I had met. Her obituary was nice to read. What a successful woman she was. — My mother, Trudy Henry, passed away at age 92 just a bit over a year ago. I send my deepest condolences to you and please know that you are thought of by the “old-timers” at St. Cornelius Episcopal Church in Dodge



  16. Glenda Zachman Patterson on January 7, 2012 at 8:42 am

    Harriet, Dan and John and families: What a gift to the world your Mother was. You were all blessed to have her show you the way to success in life. My condolences for your loss.



  17. Judy Fraley Hinnergardt on January 7, 2012 at 11:35 am

    Our sympathy to the family from PEO Sisters of Chapter DZ, Dodge City. Martha was a long time member of our chapter, well loved, and remembered. She was initiated in 1949, and along with her sister-in-law Inez Eckles was a prominent participant. Judy Fraley Hinnergardt



  18. Bonnie Armour on January 7, 2012 at 7:20 pm

    Harriet, Dan and family. So sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. She was such a sweet lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Bonnie (Day) Armour



  19. Sarah Cave on January 9, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Harriet – your mother never let that wheel chair stop her, did she? I believe her greatest contribution was her children. Sincerely, Loretta Young



  20. Joe on January 11, 2012 at 7:12 am

    Harriet, Dan, John and family,

    I’m so sorry to learn of your mother’s death. May God grant you all His peace and comfort.

    Joe



  21. Becky Windle Archibald on January 11, 2012 at 10:43 am

    Harriett: I am so sorry for your loss. Reading these messages makes me think of lots of things I have forgotten about. Thanks for letting me know, Trudy.
    Becky Windle



  22. Bob Barhydt on January 12, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    Harriet, Dan and families, God Bless you in your loss.



  23. Suzanne Muncy Kerr on January 17, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    Harriet et al—Just a couple of weeks ago, I had asked my mother (Martha ‘Betty’ Muncy) whether she knew if your mom was still active & teaching at KU. She mailed your mom’s obituary, and though I was sorry to hear of her passing, I was glad to read of her many accomplishments at KU, and to learn where all of you are now. Lots of grand-/great-grandchildren! We thank Howard Jr. whose kids have provided 5 great-grandchildren, because Marti is unmarried/childless & I got a late start having kids. I live in Wichita, where my husband, Jerry, and I have operated a bed and breakfast for 9 years; son, Graham Gilbert, Santa Barbara, is nearly 33 and no kids yet; daughter, Lauren, Los Angeles, is 30 & has one son. My mom is 92 and still lives alone, but has some help with meals now. Personally don’t hope to ‘enjoy’ the longevity she has. I’m hardly computer savvy, thus don’t keep up with anyone on Facebook, etc. so have to glean info of classmates where else I can! Sincere condolences & best wishes to you and your family—Suzanne Muncy Kerr



  24. Nancy Rozzelle on April 21, 2012 at 10:07 pm

    Dear Harriett–Have thought of you do often through these many years. Your mother was always an inspiration and loved reading about all of her accomplishments after moving to Lawrence. Would live to hear from you. Love Nancy (Mustard)



Leave a Condolence