Colleen C. Hensel's Obituary
Mother, Wife, Teacher, Community Volunteer, and Friend, Rita Colleen Hensel passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 with her family by her side and a dog on the bed, at her feet.
Born March 21st, 1939, to parents Lorene and Edward Carroll, Colleen was raised in Springfield, IL, and attended Sacred Heart and graduated from High School there in 1957. She went on to attend Junior College there for two years. She always told the kids that it was Sangamon State, but the dates don’t line up. …But we’re not gonna argue with mom!
Colleen went on to attend Saint Louis University, keeping her Catholic education streak intact; while there, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in History with the goal of becoming a teacher. In typical Colleen fashion, she kept herself busy by joining the Theta Phi Alpha sorority and contributed to the college yearbook, The Archive. Collen went on to become the Co-Editor of The Archive her senior year. She made many lifelong friends at SLU and loved to tell her kids about the Jesuits. Her favorite saying when describing the Jesuits, “They answer only to God!”
Colleen graduated from her beloved “Saint Louie U” in 1962 and took her first teaching position at Ritenour High School in St. Louis. There, she taught History, English, and on occasion, Geography. Teachers really are the Swiss Army knives of the working world! On “New Teacher Orientation Day,” a lanky football coach asked her for directions to the event. Knowing full well what he was up to and that he was not, in fact, lost, Colleen played along, and the rest as they say is history. Pete and Colleen were married shortly after, and each took turns leading the way for the next 60 years. Well done, you two!
Colleen taught at Ritenour for six years. She then announced to her Superintendent that she would not be coming back in the fall, as she was having a baby. When he was surprised about her pregnancy, she said “I am not, but I will be”. Typical Colleen! It worked, Mary Carroll was born ten months later. During this time, Pete took a teaching and coaching position at Belleville West High School and moved the family across the river. After seven years of running the household and giving birth to their second child, Rick, Colleen accepted a teaching position at Belle Valley South Elementary School where she taught seventh-grade vocabulary, English, History, and again, sometimes geography. She held this position for twenty years. That’s a LOT of seventh graders!
After taking a little time to work some dream jobs, like Kitchen Conservatory and some crafty things, Colleen started teaching GED courses in Cahokia through Southwestern Illinois College. She thoroughly enjoyed working with these students and did so for about five years. She even had to teach math! And anyone who knows her, knows that is not a strong suit for her. This challenge was great for her, right up until someone was shot just outside her building at which point Pete said “I think that’s enough”. Colleen agreed and the full on travel portion of retirement began!
Pete and Colleen traveled the world with friends from Millstadt or Pete’s SIU days. From Colleen’s favorite spots in Ireland to Mexico, to Greece, to the Baltic Sea, to Florida and of course the ultimate tour of Alaska. But much like Pete, the Northwoods of Wisconsin had the strongest pull. Countless trips to Phillips every year led to many lifelong friendships and great experiences. One great family story is that Pete convinced Colleen to go to the Wisconsin Dells for their honeymoon by saying, “you never know, we may not ever get back up here”. They traveled to Wisconsin several times a year, EVERY YEAR after that. And of course, Colleen liked to remind him of that. Pete’s parents retired and purchased the Skyline Supper club there in 1963. Pete worked summers helping at the restaurant, while Colleen, the kids and pets hung out at the lake in their oversized fishing shack. Pete and Colleen hosted many friends over the years and all walked away changed by the beauty and camaraderie. Many great friends were made there, along with a now lifetime commitment for the family to visit as many Supper Clubs as possible in the great state of WI. It will also be the forever rest for Colleen and Pete, ensuring Northwoods visits for years to come.
Colleen and Pete were very involved in the community. Getting involved and building a better place to live and thrive was very important to the duo. Over the years they were members of the St. James Catholic Church, Millstadt Optimist Club, The Commercial Club, The Quail Club, St. Clair County, and Millstadt Historical Society. Colleen was also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Professional Sorority for Women Educators, and the Red Hat Society.
Above all else, family meant everything to Colleen. She and Pete, both only children, raised a family of three. Mary Hensel (Jarrett), Rick (Michelle) Hensel and Lynn (Dena) Hensel. However, her grandchildren, Cole and Cailyn (Rick and Michelle’s kids), always stole the show. Cole, her little boyfriend and Cailyn “Boo”, her little buddy, were the light of her life.
Aside from her kids, and grandkids Colleen was a huge animal lover. Dozens of cats and dogs found a warm and cozy home at the Hensel house. One of Colleen’s favorite sayings when referring to her pets was that after she passed, she hoped to come back as a pet at our house!
While Dad often got the credit for the accomplishments of the family, mom was the heart and soul. She held it all together. A True partnership!
Godspeed Colleen. We miss you…
Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to: The St. Clair County Historical Society, the St. Clair County Humane Society, the Millstadt Optimist Club, or the charity of your choice.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 25, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Millstadt, IL., with a Funeral Mass beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial at a later date will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Phillips, WI.
A Celebration of Life will be held following the services at:
Millpond Brewing, 308 E Washington St, Millstadt, IL 62260
Catered by Ott’s Tavern of Millstadt, IL
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