Jane Hensel

Jane Hensel
December 28, 2025
Jane K. Hensel died peacefully in her home in East Wenatchee on December 28, 2025.
Jane was born in Boise, ID, July 29, 1926 to Bess Martin King and Lloyd William King. She developed an appreciation for the arts early on: Her mother arranged daily piano practice starting when she was five or six, and Jane was playing duets with adults by the time she was ten.
She graduated from Boise High School, where she enjoyed accompanying the choir, glee club, and orchestra. During her college years, she played with churches and synagogues in the Seattle area. She graduated from the University of Washington, where she was affiliated with Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, and studied a fifth year at the University of Idaho.
On September 7, 1947, she married Robert A. Hensel in St. Michael's Episcopal Cathedral in Boise, ID. In 1950, they moved to Waterville, WA, where they lived until 1995, when they moved to East Wenatchee.
Four sons were born during the 1950s, all of whom were active in school. They participated in all sports and each one attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Jane said she did not "come up for air" until sometime in the 60s. Regardless of any other accomplishments, she felt that her best successes were the lifetime successes of their sons.
R.A. and Jane nurtured the entire Hensel family as it grew. When they celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 1997, they took all sons, daughters-in-love, six grandsons and two granddaughters to Mexico to a Club Med for a week of celebration. For their 60th Anniversary in 2007, the entire family went to Sunriver, OR and played together for one week.
In the 1970's, looking for new outlets for her energy as the sons matured, Jane signed up for a rural appraisal course. This interest grew, and from 1979 - 1989 she partnered with Gerald H. Viebrock, in Viebrock, Inc., Realtors in East Wenatchee. When they closed that office, she continued in Real Estate in Waterville for several more years, retiring in 1994. She served on the Douglas County Planning Commission from 1979 through 1995.
Jane, a strong supporter of women's education, followed her mother-in-law, Ruby's example to join P.E.O., and was initiated into Chapter Z, Waterville, in 1951. Jane presided as P.E.O. State President in 1982.
Over the years, she also served on the boards of Central Washington Hospital Foundation (as President in 1989), Community Foundation of North Central Washington, Douglas County Historical Society, (Douglas County Museum), serving as President 1995-8, Wenatchee Valley Symphony, and Community Concert Association.
She was a member of Chelan Douglas Republican Women and Harmony Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star.
Building and then operating the Performing Arts Center of Wenatchee became Jane's ongoing passion from the early 1990's. She was an original member of Supporters of the Center. Seeing the building come to completion gave her enormous pleasure. Unless she happened to be out of town, she joyfully attended every Wenatchee performance!
Jane Hensel was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Wenatchee. She was organist at United Lutheran Church in Waterville for many years, where she had a Junior Choir. Prior to that service she had been organist at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Waterville.
Jane was also an avid gardener all the Waterville years, but was happy to garden only in "pots" at the condominium in East Wenatchee. She loved to play not profoundly serious bridge with good friends. She and Robert enjoyed traveling and "Birded" all over North America.
Jane Hensel was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents and dear son, Chris Robert.
She leaves sons and daughters-in-love, Martin Webb and Cecilia Mongiardo Hensel of Natick, MA, and their sons, James Arthur (Aida), Robert Edgar (Kelsey) and Chase Martin; son, Chase and Phyllis Morrow Hensel of Fairbanks, AK and their sons, Levi (Nicole) and Jesse (Jessica); daughter-in-love, Cindy Reynolds Hensel of Seattle, WA and her daughter, Dylan Kathryn (Kalvin Cressel); son, James Finley and Maripat Cupper Hensel of Portland, OR and their son, Ian Finley (Shaina); and daughter, Sara Michelle (Dan Klee); and numerous cousins and dear friends.
She lived to welcome her great-grandchildren, Aria Bella and Winter Soleil Pena and their brother, Elias River Holen; Olympia Victoria and Petra Jane Hensel; Emerson Max Hensel; Jackson and Grayson Hensel; Ruby Akino Hensel and Charlie Ichiro Hensel.
Services will be at Grace Lutheran Church in Wenatchee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026.
If you wish, memorials may be given to the Community Foundation of NCW for the Endowment Fund of the Performing Arts Center, or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Jones and Jones ~ Betts Funeral Home, Wenatchee.