Judith Anne Ensman

Judith "Judy" Anne Ensman was born on August 13, 1938 in Fremont, OH to Ruth and Leo Baumer, the first of their five children. Her mother didn't drive, although as a railroad worker her father was often gone for days at a time, so she learned to drive as soon as possible! She also worked from the age of 13, first cleaning and doing odd jobs for a dentist, then at a local ice cream shop. In spite of the fact that her old-fashioned father wasn't too thrilled about a daughter going to college, she attended Bowling Green University in Ohio, where she trained to be a medical technologist. There, she met her future husband, Robert (Bob), a fellow member of the Newman Club, a Catholic youth organization on campus. After they graduated in 1959, they married and moved to Bloomington, IN where they lived the rest of their lives. Judy was hired by the Bloomington Hospital Laboratory and worked there for 35 years, eventually becoming the director of the lab, while raising four children After retirement, she and Bob traveled quite a bit, both overseas and around the US in their small RV, and were involved in their neighborhood HOA. They always enjoyed their time with their grandchildren, who lived nearby... having them over for sleepovers, taking them camping, and working on various projects with them. In January 2021, they moved to Bell Trace Independent Living. Unfortunately, Judy suffered a stroke that fall which left her left side numb. Luckily she had no paralysis or cognitive impairments, so could get around (always carefully) and take care of herself and Bob. Judy selflessly assisted her husband as his Parkinson's disease and dementia progressed. At the end, she would walk over to the neighboring nursing home building up to three times a day to help her partner of 65 years with his meals and ensure that he was tucked into bed to nap. After Bob passed away in January of this year, Judy was able to spend more time with her Bell Trace neighbors and enjoyed going out for lunches, listening to the music programs, and just reading and relaxing at home. Her daughters in town visited often and the children and grandchildren further away came or called as they could. She was always glad to hear from them and was unfailingly supportive and interested in their lives. Sadly, Judy passed away at Bloomington Hospital on August 3, 2025, 10 days before her 87th birthday, after a sudden and severe case of acute pancreatitis which hit the day before. She was always practical, easy-going, and uncomplaining (even through six joint replacements). "Whatever works" was her motto! She was a great listener and friendly to everyone. Her patience and kindness will be sorely missed by friends and family, but she set a wonderful example that has influenced all of us and her spirit will thus endure. Judy was preceded in death by her husband Robert; her parents Ruth and Leo Baumer; her brother Thomas Baumer; her son-in-law Mario Bettencourt; and her brother-in-law Fr. Raymond Ensman. She is survived by siblings Mary Riley (spouse John), Connie Kosta (Michael), and Jim Baumer (Marsha); children Lisa Ensman (Anurag Shankar), Mike Ensman (Christina), Catherine Ensman, and Patricia Ensman (Mario Bettencourt); grandchildren Dhruv Shankar, Brooke Carmichael (fiancé Anthony Back), Rajin Shankar, and Jessica McNear (Jackson); and sisters-in-law Sue Nocella (Jerry Sanders) and Ann Long. For anyone wishing to make a donation in memory of Judy, please consider the Parkinson's Foundation, The National Pancreas Foundation (NPF), or St. Paul Catholic Center in Bloomington. The family will receive friends from 10:30 am to 12 pm on Saturday August 16, 2025. A short memorial service will follow. Both events will be at Allen Funeral Home, 4155 South Old State Road 37, Bloomington, IN.