Carol Hensley

Carol Ann Hensley, 86, a longtime resident of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away on Friday, October 6, 2023, at Heritage House in Atlantic.

Carol was born November 23, 1936, in Atlantic, Iowa to Claus Frederick Krambeck and Kathryn Lucille (Redman) Krambeck. She attended elementary and junior high school in Atlantic where she first met her future husband, Dick. Her family then moved to a farm outside of Walnut and she graduated from Walnut High School in 1955. Carol was very active in high school, sharing her voice through a love of singing; participating in glee club, trio, sextet, mixed quartet, and solos. She also served her school as class president and treasurer and as both assistant and lead editor of the school newspaper. Carol was also the 1954 homecoming queen at Walnut High.

After graduation, she attended Estherville Junior College for a year and her first job was a private secretary for the Omaha PPD’s Safety Director. Carol and Dick married on October 6, 1957. Over the next many years, Carol became a full-time mother of four sons and helped Dick at Hensley’s Mens Wear. As her boys grew, Carol became involved as a Cub Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, chairperson of the Little League Mother’s Association, always helping guide her boys as they grew. In the larger community, she served as a Red Cross canteen chairperson, with the hospital auxiliary and other organizations around Atlantic. Ever first and foremost, she kept her four boys on the straight and narrow, not hesitating to reset courses when needed.

Once the boys were off to college and their own lives, and the clothing store’s closing in 1988, Carol and Dick purchased a travel trailer and set out to see America! They relished visiting state and national parks and other places for nearly two years (followed by more touring after her retirement a few years later). Upon returning to Atlantic, Carol spent time working as a florist at Countryside Florist, worked for friend Nancy Zellmer at Mid-America Office Equipment, and as office manager for Joe B. Mewhirter Construction. Since that time, she was a devoted grandma, great grandma, and throughout her life a devoted, true-blue Chicago Cubs fan, as well.

Carol is survived by her husband, Dick Hensley of Atlantic; sons, Mike Hensley (Kelly) of Des Moines, Craig Hensley (Terry) of Boerne, TX, Todd Hensley (Loan) of Sioux City and David Hensley (Laura) of Iowa City; grandchildren, Bryanne, Jordan and Cheyenne Hensley of West Des Moines, Madisyn Lafrentz (Quinn) of Ankeny, Logan and Dakota Hensley of Des Moines, Jennifer Hensley of Winchester, MA, Noah Hensley (Amy) of Tauranga, New Zealand, Tanner Hensley of North Sioux City, SD, Keaton and Meghan Hensley of Sioux City, Steven Hensley of Chicago, IL, Matthew Hensley of Denver, CO and Greg Hensley of Chicago, IL; six great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Elaine Krambeck of Clive and Jane Hensley of Kent, OH;  half-brother, Bob Krambeck of Seguin, TX; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Claus Krambeck and Kathryn Krambeck Remien; stepfather, Bob Remien; brother, Rev. Dick Krambeck; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Earl and Ada Hensley; brother-in-law, Tom Hensley; and many friends.

Carol had a kind and generous soul who will be remembered for her love and devotion to family and sincere care and compassion for others. She will forever be in our hearts.

Visitation with the family present will begin at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, October 14^th at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery. 

The slideshow and service is available for viewing below. 

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to the Atlantic Public Library, Alzheimer’s Association – Iowa Chapter and the Heritage House Good Samaritan Fund.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Carol’s family and her arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.