Wilma Hensler

Wilma Louise Barnett Hensler, 95, passed-away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, at Glendale Place Nursing Home, Cincinnati, OH where she had been a resident for several years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul H. Hensler, her parents, Joseph B. and Irma G. Barnett, her brothers, Gene H. Barnett and Billy Ray Barnett, and her sister, Joan Barnett Overstreet.

Although never blessed with children of her own, Wilma always considered her numerous nieces and nephews as her children. In the Barnett Family they included, Toni Barnett Wainwright (deceased) Providence Forge, VA, Patricia Barnett Bausman, Jacksonville, FL, Charles B. Barnett (Carol), Austin, TX, Kristin Barnett Watkins (John), Franklinton, NC, Barbara Ann Barnett (deceased) Austin, TX, Henry W. Pfingstag (Judy), Maitland, FL, and Debra Pfingstag Barrett-Graves (Bill) of Santa Fe, NM, including numerous great nieces and nephews. In the Hensler Family, Wilma was very close to her brothers-in-law, George Hensler, deceased (Dottie), Dan Hensler, deceased (Pat), and sisters-in-law, Margie Hensler Bleh (Jerry), Mary Hensler Heroux, deceased.(Mike), Patricia Hensler Haverland, deceased (Pat), and Ginny Hensler Farquer, deceased (Stan), and her numerous nieces and nephews, who were so dear to her.

Born in 1925, Wilma was a lifelong resident of Norwood, OH. During WWII, Wilma worked for U.S. Playing Card Co., after which she assumed administrative duties at the Culligan Softwater Company, from where she retired in the 1960s. Never idle, Wilma began a second career as the Administrative Assistant for Stanley Enterprises, Inc., working for Stanley Cohen, Architect, for many years fulltime and eventually part-time until Mr. Cohen retired and the office closed. A loyal Cincinnatian, Wilma gave many hours of her time over the years in numerous ventures including volunteering for several years at the ATP Tennis Tournament held in Mason, Ohio, the Gift Shop at the Cincinnati Art Museum, and at the WCET Action Auction Fund Raising Drives. She also provided many years of invaluable service as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Norwood City Schools Alumni Association. A devoted member of the Norwood United Methodist Church for many years, Wilma was the treasurer until it closed in 2010. During that time, Wilma became a member of Zion United Church of Christ (11/21/2010), in Norwood and the family is grateful for the continued support of church members, including Reverend Scott Casebeer, who visited Wilma while she was at the nursing home bringing communion and prayers, as well as Reverend David Schwab for several years while he was the interim minister at Zion.

Wilma married Paul H. Hensler, retired engineer from Cincinnati. They lived in Norwood until his passing in 1988. During their time together, Wilma and Paul loved to travel and spent many adventures in numerous places around the world including Germany, London, Italy, and Spain just to name a few. One of Wilma’s favorite pastimes was genealogy and she enjoyed tracing her family’s history in England.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Glendale Place Nursing Home for their many kindnesses, including allowing Wilma’s niece, Denise Hensler Schenke who was always by Wilma’s side, to be there at the time of her passing, the kindness and consideration extended by Dr. Harold Cottom , the Clinical Chaplain with VITAS, and also a big thank you for her dear friend, Fou Linder, for her continued caring and support for Wilma in her final years.

Wilma requested that remembrances be made to the Norwood City Schools (NCS) Alumni Association, P.O. 12664, Norwood, Ohio 45212.

A Celebration of Life and Graveside Interment is planned for Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 11:00a.m. at St. Aloysius Cemetery, 4366 Bridgetown Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45211. Family and dear friends are welcome with a reception to follow.