Beatrice Louella “Bea” Hensel passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 at Brookdale Tullahoma at the age of 99. 

Mrs. Hensel was born in Helena, OH to the late Oscar and Gertrude (Nieset) Hoffman.  She graduated from High School in Gibsonburg, OH in 1944, and immediately moved to Dayton, OH to help with the WWII war effort by entering an accelerated program offered by Tiffin College while at the same time working at Wright Field.  Bea was a quick study, and her cheerful yet professional, discrete manner combined with her work ethic and team approach served her well as she worked with the USAAF members of the Engineering Division at Wright Field.  By the end of 1944 she was working for two officers in that Division, and by mid-1946 through mid-1948 she was working for four German scientists.  Bea had fond memories of working with all the technical staff at Wright Field, and in her later years there enjoyed helping the spouses and children of those German scientists with their paperwork and other logistics involved in their move from Germany to temporary housing near Wright Field in Dayton, OH.

In late 1945 Captain Rudolph “Rudy” Hensel, also employed at Wright Field, asked Miss Bea Hoffman out on a date.  Once Bea was convinced that Rudy was NOT a different blonde Captain, who was married, she gladly accepted.  In 1947 Rudy Hensel joined the Army Air Force’s inactive reserve with the rank of major and returned to CalTech – where he had earlier obtained his PE – to work at their cooperative wind tunnel (GALCIT).  Bea and Rudy’s love story flourished despite becoming a long-distance relationship for almost a year, and they were married on May 29, 1948.  Their honeymoon trip included driving across the country together from Ohio to a newly-rented home in Altadena, CA stopping at National Parks along the way.

Mrs. Bea Hensel from then on devoted her talents to being a loving wife and support to her husband, and became a dedicated and caring homemaker for her family.  Her favorite hobby was creating beautiful landscaping around each of her homes.  Her gardens were her canvas with different color blooms for each season.  Having grown up on a farm she not only had a green thumb, but she would cook amazing & hearty meals from scratch every day.

Bea had no qualms about laughing and being silly at times with friends and family, and we will all miss her laughter.  Her listening presence was a balm to more than just her family members during private conversations.  She was a true confidante to many of the friends of her children and no doubt for some adults as well.  Those conversations with Bea sitting in the breakfast nook or with her on the front stoop of her house: All knew whatever was said in confidence, she would take to her grave. 

She is survived by her sons William (Fran) Hensel of North Ridgeville, OH, Robert Hensel of Houston, TX, Thomas Hensel of Pensacola, FL, and daughter Shirley (David) Wright of Greenville, SC; grandchildren Kimberly (David) Hageman, William (Jill) Hensel Jr, Austin (Rachel) Hensel, Neil Wright, Erin Hensel, Amy Hensel, and Alexandria Hensel; great-grandchildren Isabelle, Carson, Lincoln, Hendrick, and Nyla Rae Hageman, Will III and Andrew Hensel; sister Sister Angeline Hoffman C.PP.S of Dayton, OH, and good friend Brenda Thurston of Tullahoma.

She was preceded in death by Rudy Hensel, her loving husband of 61 years, and her brothers Norman Hoffman, Russell Hoffman, and her sister Marjorie Hoffman Stang.

Mrs. Bea Hensel was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church Ladies Council, the Junior Women’s Club, and the AEDC Women’s Club.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Feb 11 at Kilgore Funeral Home in Tullahoma from 5- 7 p.m.  Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, Feb 12 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church with Father Stephen Klasek officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 306 W. Grizzard St., Tullahoma, TN 37388 or to a charity of their choice.

Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Tullahoma News – Feb. 11, 2026