Floyd Carl "Pete" Hensel's Obituary
Teacher, Coach, Husband, Friend, and Father, Floyd Carl “Pete” Hensel passed away peacefully Sunday evening, July 30th, 2023.
Born on June 2, 1936, to parents Maryo and Fredrick “Bunny” Hensel, Pete was raised in Aurora, IL, and attended West Aurora High School, graduating in 1954. While there, he lettered in Football, Basketball, and Track. The only sports the school offered. If there was an activity that involved physical competition, Pete was in!
Pete went on to attend Southern Illinois University at Carbondale on a Football Scholarship and played two seasons. After the second season he realized that playing College Football while trying to excel in school was too much for him. He took some time off and returned home to work. While there he joined the IL National Guard and served for one year. After this time away, he returned to Southern and focused on academics. Wise choice! Pete also joined the Delta Chi Fraternity and like others,, he made lifelong friendships at Southern. Friends that stuck with him to the very end.
Pete graduated from Southern in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, and after a short stint in the Aurora area working and playing fast-pitch softball, Pete moved to the St. Louis area and took his first teaching and coaching position at Ritenour High School. There he taught Physical Education and was an Assistant Football and Baseball coach. On “New Teacher Orientation Day,” Pete caught a glimpse of a beautiful, young teacher walking in front of him. He asked her for directions to the assembly, even though he knew where he was going. As always, Colleen was more than happy to oblige. According to her, she knew what he was up to. Pete and Colleen were married shortly after, and each took turns leading the way for the next 60 years. Well done, you two!
After a successful run at Ritenour, where the Baseball team won back-to-back state titles in ‘66 and ‘67, Pete was looking to make a move and was offered an Assistant Coaching position at Belleville West High School. Ten years into his run at West, Pete accepted the position of Athletic Director (AD) as Alfred “Boots” Budde retired. Boots was a great friend and mentor to Pete. While teaching, coaching, and running the Physical Education department, Pete attended night school at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and earned a Master of Science Degree in Education in 1972. Pete retired from Belleville West in 1993. Thirty-two years of high school coaching young men was so fulfilling for Pete. When asked about his high school coaching career recently, he said, “We made men back then.” Right, you are, Pete!
Following his first retirement, more on that later, Pete worked as a scout for the Millikin University Football team under Head Coach Carl Poelker. Shortly after, Poelker accepted the Head Coach position at McKendree University and brought Pete along with him as a recruiter and Assistant Coach. They had the unique opportunity to build a football program from the ground up. He spent the next five years coaching young men, laughing and bullshitting with his coaching buddies, and visiting high schools all over the Midwest looking for great recruits. One highlight during this time was the gift of youth that young coaches gave him. They’re full of energy and spunk, and a desire to learn the craft of coaching. Once again, Pete was making men. This time, he didn’t even know it. Pete saw the inaugural class through their graduation, which was important to him. He stayed one more season just for good measure and retired from McKendree in 2001.
The dynamic duo of Pete and Colleen’s last ‘career’ was retirement. And they put as much energy and brilliance into it as the previous. They traveled the world with friends from his SIU days, Millstadt buddies and of course the golfing crew. 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 the Northwoods of Wisconsin had the strongest pull. He and his parents had traveled there since he was a teenager. While Pete had the annual fishing trip to Canada with Norm, Phillips, WI had his heart. Only there, could he truly relax and forget about everything. Pete and Colleen hosted many friends over the years and all walked away changed by the beauty and camaraderie. Pete’s dad, “Bunny” (they like their nicknames in this family) and mom Maryo 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. The only reason to leave this happy place was to start ‘2-a-days’ in August back in Belleville. Many great friends were made in Phillips, 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 their forever rest for Pete and Colleen, ensuring Northwoods visits for years to come.
Pete and Colleen were very involved in the community. While not “from here” lol, the little town of Millstadt meant the world to them. 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, and countless other groups and professional organizations.
Above all else, Pete was a family man. He and Colleen, both only children, raised a family of three. Mary Hensel(Jarrett), Rick (Michelle) Hensel and Lynn (Dena) Hensel. But his favorites were his two grandchildren Cole and Cailyn; Rick and Michelle’s kids. He attended all their activities and sporting events. With that twinkle in his eye, but also a coach's eye, always to be better.
Godspeed Pete.
Son
Husband
Father
Coach
Golfer
Fisherman
Friend
Mentor
Business Partner
#assistantcoachwisdom
Just a baller of a man
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 4, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt, IL., and on Saturday, August 5, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Millstadt, IL. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at St. James Catholic Church in Millstadt, Il., with Monsignor Marvin Volk, officiating. There will be a continued Celebration of Life at Ott's Tavern in Millstadt following the conclusion of Mass. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Phillips, WI.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospice, Belleville West Booster Club or the Millstadt Optimist Club. Arrangements were handled by Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt, IL.
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