Lori Lynn Hensold

A memorial service to celebrate Lori’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Imago Dei Church, 2221 North Gale Avenue, Peoria, IL 61604. A reception will be held immediately following the service in the church’s fellowship hall.

The memorial will be livestreamed at youtube.com/@imagodeichurch-peoria

Lori Lynn Ross was born on September 15, 1958 in Excelsior Springs, MO to Janet and Gary Ross. She married James Frederick Hensold on January 1, 1979. The couple had six children.

Lori is survived by her husband, Jim; son Jesse and his wife, Melanie, and children Carson and Anora; son Andy and his wife, Katherine, and children Addisen, Gwendolyn, and Josephine; son David and his wife, Elizabeth, and children Ezra, Reeve, and Phoebe; daughters Rachel, Grace, and Joy; and her loyal dog, Toby. Also surviving is her father, Gary.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Janet Ross, and her sister, Linda Leverenz.

The joy of Lori’s life was her family. She gave life to six children, teaching them and her eight grandchildren to live with a balance of strength and softness. To family and friends, she was a caretaker, connecter, and nurturer. She built a warm, welcoming home where she gathered loved ones to learn from each other and to create lasting memories. She loved her people fiercely, acting as a steadfast presence in each of their lives.

Lori tirelessly pursued her passion for education throughout her life. She taught early education before setting aside her career outside the home to raise her family and homeschool her children. Then after working in special education, Lori went on to train teachers and set statewide educational standards. At age 65, she realized a lifelong dream, completing her doctorate in education at the University of Illinois. At the time of her passing, she was on faculty at Northern Illinois University.

Lori was a person of faith and growth. She maintained an unwavering moral compass that guided her through her life, centering curiosity and compassion. She fiercely advocated for justice and fairness for others, especially marginalized peoples. Lori enjoyed creating activities for the children in her life, attending live music and theater events, and finding quiet moments with a puzzle or a good book near the fireplace.