Catherine "Katy" Anne Henseler

Catherine Anne “Katy” Henseler of Wheaton, IL peacefully passed away on November 20th at the age of 96.

Beloved wife of the late Philip “Duke” Henseler.  Dearest mother of the late Fr. Phil Henseler, the Late Mary Henseler, Peter (Molly) Henseler, Margaret (the late Doug) Gay, Kathleen (Jack) Scheible, Karol (Dave) Orsborn, Jim Henseler and John(Sarah) Henseler; Devoted Grandmother of Kelli (Kevin) Mueller, Patrick (Gina) Henseler, John Scheible, PJ (Jasmine) Henseler, Michael Scheible, Haley Henseler, Maggie Henseler, Katy Orsborn, Annie Henseler, Ellie Orsborn, Emily Henseler, Abbie Orsborn and Ryan Henseler; Adoring Great-Grandmother of Harper, Milo and Dottie Henseler, Cameron, Parker and Hayes Mueller, and Kaya and Emi Henseler. Baby sister of the late Betty (the late Dick) Collins, loving Sister-in-Law of AJ (the late Regina) Henseler, Vickie (the late Bob) Kuntzman, the late Richard (Katie) Henseler, the late Rev. Tom Henseler, the late Mary (the late George) Murray, Patty (the late George) Florey, the late Alice Henseler, and the late Jody (the late Sue) Henseler and Aunt to many nieces and nephews across the country and cherished friend of too many to list.

Katy was born on April 18, 1928 to Eugene and Eleanor McDonald in Tacoma Washington, where she was later awarded the title of “Little Miss Shirley Temple”. So began her attraction to the limelight.  She became a proficient dancer, performer and pairs ice skating champion. She was a graduate of St. Patrick’s grade school and Aquinas Academy High School. After high school she began her collegiate studies at Dominican University of California, and then concluded her degree in drama back at the University of Washington. She continued rooting for the purple and gold the rest of her days. 

After college she began employment as a service club director at U.S. Army Camp Roberts and later transferred to Service Club 6 on the North Fort. It was at Fort Lewis that she met a dashing and charming young soldier named Duke. He persuaded her to give up her draw to the stage and west coast roots and venture off to the land of Lincoln, however she never lost her love for the water. They settled in southern Illinois adding 7 little ones to their brood. Then after a quick 2-year stint back on the water on Long Island, NY, added Number 8 to the clan upon settling in Glen Ellyn IL. Life was hectic and full, but she still managed to throw in the occasional performance at the parish talent show or neighborhood parties. She and Duke loved music and dancing and were always the last ones to leave the party. 

Even though she lost Duke in 1978, she managed to continue raising her crew, seeing them all graduate from Benet Academy and various colleges. She was involved in the education, chocolate, hardware and gift shop trades before she retired to her last home on Lakecliffe Drive, where she enjoyed tending her flowers and feeding the ducks. Katy was an Irish lassie, a full red, white and blue patriot and a lover of all holiday celebrations (especially the 4th of July and Thanksgiving). As an avid Bears and Cubs fan and reaching the age of 96, she was rewarded with and delighted in seeing championships for both. She also enjoyed the family and friends' annual NFL football pool, of which she had a weekly win just this year.

Throughout her years, Katy could be seen out on the dance floor singing along to her favorite Sinatra tunes.   You can almost hear her now…

“I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside
I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way
Oh, no, oh, no, not me
I did it my way”

Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 0S233 Church St, Winfield, IL. Interment to follow mass at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are appreciated to the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, mercyhome.org or mail to, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607.

Please view the video "Project Katy, The COMPLETE Film" about her life via this link Project Katy The COMPLETE Video

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