Sheila Ann Hensell, 57, of Lafayette, finished her earthly journey on Sunday, December 10, 2023 after a long hard battle with ovarian cancer since 2004 and chemo therapy induced kidney failure since 2021.

Born February 4, 1966 in Danville, IN, she was the daughter of the late Siemkje (Suzanne) Bergsma Hensell and the late Robert James Hensell.

Sheila attended Lafayette Christian School from kindergarten through 8^th grade class of 1980. In 1984 she graduated from William Henry Harrison High School. Sheila later graduated from Ivy Tech School of Practical Nursing, following in her mother’s footsteps. Her nursing career began as a senior in high school when she participated in the health occupations program at St. Elizabeth Hospital. Her career in nursing spanned thirty-three years before cancer stopped her career. During her nursing career she worked at Heritage Health Care, in West Lafayette, for twenty years at the Indiana Veterans Home, Westminster Village and Creasey Springs. After cancer Sheila went back to school and graduated in 2009 with an associate degree in Human Services. Her last job was as the Social Services Director at Milner Community Heath Care in Rossville.

During her twenty years at the Indiana Veterans Home, Sheila rose through the ranks of the State Union, AFSCME, becoming president and serving for as such for five years. She taught shop stewardship classes all over Indiana and Kentucky. During her union days, Sheila was also very involved with the United Way and volunteered at Food Finders Food Bank and serving the Union Food Pantry. Sheila received the Lafayette City Volunteer award during her time spent with the union.

Sheila was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church.

Sheila is survived by her wife and longtime companion, Michelle Switzer and several nieces and nephews. The great joys of her life were helping care for and watching grow up Karissa and Blake Nydegger. Also, the biggest blessing was becoming Godmother to Jack Robinos.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a half-brother, Jimmie Joe and a half-sister, Pamela Lewark.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Lafayette Christian School or Tricia’s Hope Cancer Charity, 4209 State Rd. 43 West Lafayette, IN 47906.

Visitation will be from 10:30 am until the time of the service at 12:00 noon on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Soller-Baker Funeral Home, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Lafayette, IN 47909. Burial will follow at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens in West Lafayette, IN.