Esther Katherine Hensel Dolan

Esther was born on September 9, 1934 in Chicago, the daughter of Adolph and Jenny Schoppe Hensel. She was a former member of Spring Creek United Church of Christ where she loved singing in the choir. Esther graduated with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northern Illinois University and taught in Rockford elementary schools for over 30 years. She was a school counselor for the district, as well as a private counselor. Esther also taught master’s classes for National Louis University for several years and was a member of the Heritage Kiwanis, Phi Delta Kappa, and CONTACT of Rockford.

Esther enjoyed numerous hobbies including gardening, traveling, and attending symphony concerts, plays, and community performances. She was active in the Red Hat Society and participated in book clubs. She could be found cheering on the Rockford Lightening basketball team, hosting holiday coffees with her large collection of Dickens Village houses on display and giving out Halloween candy – in costume – to neighborhood children. Esther was a friend to many and was known for her no nonsense opinions and her love of life.

Esther is survived by her daughters Kathleen Cunningham (Tom), Carolyn Gauen (Curt), Sara Olson (Nobel), son William James Dolan III (Wendy), grandchildren Thomas, Anna, Clare, Megan, Katherine, Karl, Kent, Amelia, Dean, and Alexander, two brothers Leonard Hensel, Herman Hensel (Lorraine), one sister Minnie Lee (Frank), brothers-in-law Joe Komenda and John Tobin, and cherished friend Connie Tucker.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, brother Guy Hensel, and three sisters Evelyn Hehn (Arthur), Marianne Komenda, and Jennifer Tobin.

A service to celebrate Esther’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2014 at Sunset Funeral Home 8800 N. Alpine Road in Machesney Park with visitation starting at 2:00 p.m. Entombment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Rock Valley Heritage Kiwanis 2601 Reid Farm Road Rockford, IL 61114.