Jensen, Tina Marie Ames - 1956-2012

AMES, GREENLEE, JENSEN, LANGE, NALEAN, SCHLOEMER, SCHULTZ, WARD

Posted By: Polk Volunteer
Date: 7/23/2024 at 10:57:52

Tina M. Jensen passed peacefully from this life on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, after courageously battling cancer for over a year.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in Des Moines. Memorial services will be at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 26 at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway.
Tina Marie Ames was born on February 11, 1956 in Sac City, Iowa to Clyde and Marsha (Lange) Ames. She grew up in Boone and graduated from Boone High School in 1974. Tina continued her education at DMACC and then completed her Psychology, Elementary Education, and Early Childhood Development degrees at Iowa State University in 1982. She then earned her Master's in Administration in 2002, and her Specialist Degree in 2011, both from Drake University. Tina began her career in education as a 1st grade teacher at Page Elementary in Boone. She then taught 6th grade and became an Associate Principal at the United 6th Grade Building. In 1995, she took her first Principal position at Northstar Elementary in Knoxville. She then became Principal of Jackson Elementary in Des Moines in 2000. Tina then worked as Executive Director of the Southeast Region of Des Moines Public Schools from 2007 to present.
Tina devoted her life to education and the students that she loved. She could see the potential in every kid that walked through the doors and believed that everyone should have the opportunity to learn. Tina viewed all of her coworkers as equals and inspired everyone to be the best that they could be. Tina was perhaps most proud of her grandchildren and loved to be with them, reading books and challenging them to work hard, be kind and dream big. When Tina wasn't working, she enjoyed traveling, reading, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.
Survivors include her friend Beth Ward; children, Kara (Chris) Greenlee, Jayme (Tyler) Ward, and Michael Jensen (Sarah Schloemer); grandchildren, Kayla, Aaron, Ryan, Delanie, Casey, Camryn, Samiya, Graytian, and expecting baby Kyler; siblings, Jerry (Patty) Ames, Marti (Steve) Nalean, and Linda (Rich) Schultz; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family. Tina was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
Memorial contributions can be given to Tina Jensen Memorial Foundation. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Sunday, March 25, 2012, page 9B