Paul Hensler Obituary

Paul L. Hensler passed on December 25, 2025, at Homestead of Eudora surrounded by many loving family members at his bedside. Paul was born on November 13, 1933, in Barton, Wisconsin to Elmer Hensler and Lorain (Barnes) Hensler.

Paul graduated from West Bend High School in West Bend Wisconsin in 1951. He then served in the Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1960. He met his wife Beverly Jean while stationed in Topeka, Kansas, and the two were married on September 8, 1956.

As newlyweds, Paul and Beverly moved to Waunakee, Wisconsin and lived in a small trailer while Paul completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1960. Paul fondly tells the story of being excused from a final exam to attend the birth of his first child, Susan Kathleen (Kathy) in October of 1957.

In 1960, the young family moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where Paul began working as a Chemical Engineer at FMC. During his tenure, he achieved eight U.S. patents for his work in the chemical industry. He mentored many engineers and consulted on site with engineers in Germany, Spain, and Japan. Upon his retirement in 1996, the FMC corporation created a scholarship in Paul's name to be awarded to high school students from both Lawrence High School and Free State High School who planned to pursue careers in engineering.

Outside of work, Paul and Beverly were active members of the St. John Parish in Lawrence, Kansas for 65 years. Paul was a life-long learner and enjoyed reading both fiction and non-fiction. He took enrichment courses in English composition, creative writing, philosophy, and history. Paul was a believer in science but was not a fan of technology. He was an avid gardener who had his family eating organic romaine and bib lettuce when most were eating iceberg lettuce. He enjoyed tending to his fruit trees and battling the squirrels for the peaches that Beverly loved. Paul loved fishing and often told his children that time spent fishing wasn't taken off your life. He passed his fish cleaning and filleting skills on to his daughter, Kathy. Lastly, Paul enjoyed golfing, playing poker with his buddies and working out at Holcomb Recreation Center where he enjoyed visiting with staff and patrons.

Paul was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He often encouraged his children and grandchildren during difficult stages with his "Meter Stick of Life" lesson, making sure they understood that the difficult stage was only a small part of the whole. His grandchildren fondly remember being his munchkins and being greeted with a wink and a smile.

Paul is preceded in death by both of his parents; his brother, Robert Hensler; sister, Mary Roell; mother-in-law, Violet Ulrich; father-in-law, Leo Ulrich; his wife, Beverly (Ulrich) Hensler; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He will be missed by his family, the St. John community, the staff and residents of Homestead, and the many caregivers, co-workers, and friends that he was blessed to know throughout the years. He is survived by his brother, Tom Hensler; his two daughters, Kathy (Mike) Coffman, and Karen (Tony) Hyde; his son, Scott Hensler; his grandchildren, Clinton (Audrey) Coffman, Marie (Adam) Payne, and Ashley (Matt) Greenlee; and five great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (1234 Kentucky St, Lawrence, KS, 66044) at 10:00 am. A viewing for family and friends will begin at 9:00 am, followed by the recitation of the Rosary at 9:30 am. Graveside service will be at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery.