Luella Jane Ensz

Luella (Lou) Jane Ensz, 88, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2026 at Schowalter Villa in Hesston, KS. She was born May 28,1938 in Goessel, KS to Leonard and Helen (Schroeder) Schmidt.

Lou was employed as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell in Newton for 23 years and later worked for Kmart in Newton. She was a long-time member of Salem United Methodist Church and the Crusaders Sunday School class. She loved being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She spent many years babysitting the grandchildren and attending their numerous sporting and school events. She attended many Wichita State Shocker basketball games with J.B. and their friends. Many hours were spent around the kitchen table playing the board game Wahoo with family members.

She is survived by: Her husband of 70 years, J.B. Ensz; her children Brad Ensz and his wife Rene’ of Newton, KS and Tom Ensz and his wife Diann of Wichita, KS; her grandchildren Sara (Geoffrey) Lewis, Staci (Will) Kemph, Jacob, Colton, Kyle, Joe, Natalie, Robin, Siena, Cora, David, John, and Jace Ensz; her great-grandchildren Xander and Owen Lewis and Hudson and Evelyn Kemph; her siblings Norman (Shirley) Schmidt, Arlene (Wilbur) Besore, and sister-in-law Gayle Schmidt, godson Brandon Schmidt, and many nieces and nephews. Lou was preceded in death by: her parents and siblings Allen (Georgie) Schmidt, Elva (Earl) Unruh, Norma Jean Schmidt, Vernon Schmidt, and Leona (Jack) Totland.

Memorial service will be Friday, November 13, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Salem United Methodist Church in Newton, KS. There will be a visitation Thursday, November 12, 2026 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. also at Salem United Methodist Church.