Wilma I.Pauley Ensley

Wilma Ilene Pauley Ensley

Wilma Ilene Pauley Ensley, 87, Topeka, died Wednesday, July 21, 2004, at Topeka Presbyterian Manor. Wilma was born on July 22, 1916, the daughter of Jess and Ida Peterson Pauley in Beattie. At the age of 3, her family moved to a farm near Westmoreland, where she lived until she was 19. Wilma was a live-in caregiver for her Grandmother Peterson in Beattie for two years. Wilma attended Sales School in Pottawatomie County, a one-room school that had eight grades. She met Gordon Ensley in October 1937, and they were married on Aug. 19, 1938, in Manhattan. Wilma and Gordon moved to Shawnee County after their marriage, living in the Grove, Rossville and Kiro communities before settling in the Dover community from 1949 to 1969. In 1969, they moved to North Topeka and in 1996, Wilma and Gordon moved to west Topeka. In 1999, they became residents of Presbyterian Manor of Topeka, where they quickly became favorites of the staff and fellow residents alike, with Wilma garnering much attention from the health-care staff. Wilma was active in the Dover community, including Dover Federated Church, Ladies Aid Society, 4-H, Haskell Creek Club, Rebekah Lodge and many youth activities. Upon moving to Topeka, Wilma was deeply involved in the Kansas Avenue Methodist Church for many years. She was a vital part of the church s annual Fall Festival, as well as countless other endeavors. Wilma devoted many hours to the Topeka Rescue Mission as part of her civic services as well. Survivors include her husband, Gordon T. Ensley, Topeka; four sons, Dennis L. Ensley Sr. and his wife, Betty, Topeka, Robert l. Ensley and his wife, Virginia, Topeka, John M. Ensley Sr. and his wife, Ruth, Hoyt, and Ted G. Ensley and his wife, Pam, Topeka; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel. Burial will be in Half-Day Cemetery in Topeka. Mrs. Ensley will lie in state after 1 p.m. Sunday at the fun eral home in North Topeka, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 N. Kansas, Topeka, 66608 or the Presbyterian Manor of Topeka Good Samaritan Club, 4712 S.W. 6th St., Topeka 66606. Online condolences may be sent to www.penwellgabel.com .