Elizabeth Austin Betty Hensley

Elizabeth Austin "Betty" Hensley Betty was born October 12, 1923 to Allen Charlton Austin, DDS and Ruth Cady Austin in Kansas City. She died May 11, 2018. Betty studied the flute as a young girl which became her lifelong passion and work. She attended the University of Kansas graduating, Phi Beta Kappa, with a degree in Chemistry. While there, she met and married Cline D. Hensley, Jr. Cline served as a physician in the Army of Occupation following WW II. Betty joined him in Augsburg and, after a stint in the New York area, they settled in Wichita. Betty was active in the community and her church. She maintained a private flute studio, teaching flute until she was 90. Betty began collecting flutes and her collection of over 400 ethnic and antique flutes now resides at the University of Kansas. Using her collection, Betty developed a variety of programs demonstrating how the flute was used both musically and culturally throughout the world and over time. She was a touring performer for the Kansas Arts Commission and performed across the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa and Asia. She was a member of the National Flute Associations tour to the Soviet Union and the American Flute Orchestras tours to Austria, Italy, England and Spain. Betty was a charter member of the National Flute Association and the American Musical Instrument Society. She was a life member of the National Federation of Music Clubs. She was also active in several local music organizations. Betty was predeceased by her parents and husband. She is survived by her sons, Doug (Pam) of College Station, TX, Bill (Dana) of Andover, KS, and Larry (Cindy) of Hoover, AL; as well as nine grandchildren, Deanne Veselka, MD (Marc), Andrew Hensley (Ana), of Los Angeles, CA, Rachel Ginsberg (Mark) of Austin TX., Thomas Hensley, William Hensley of College Station, TX, Jessica Suhr (Clint) of Wichita, Chad Hensley of San Francisco, CA, Daniel Hensley of Atlanta, GA, and Christina Hensley of Cleveland, OH., as well as eight great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 26 at 11:00 AM at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 7202 E. 21St N., Wichita. A memorial has been established with the Tack Flute Foundation, 422 E. Pine Meadow Ct., Andover, KS 67002. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.