Jensen, Audrey B. (1929-2006)

JENSEN, JONES, BARRATT, RUTHERFORD, LEMMON, NELSON, SAND

Posted By: Jennifer J. Jensen (email)
Date: 4/8/2006 at 23:18:02

Audrey Byrd Jensen, the daughter of Ted and Margaret Mae Lemmon Jones, was born February 9, 1929, in a log cabin on her parent's ranch in Gage, Montana, and died March 22, 2006, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa, at the age of 77 years, 1 month and 13 days.

Audrey was baptized and confirmed at the Presbyterian Church in Audubon, Iowa. She attended Audubon Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1947. Audrey had studied normal training in High School so she was able to teach rural school following graduation. She taught near Hamlin, Iowa. She also taught at the Irwin Consolidated School in Irwin for two years. She then taught at the Exira Community Schools until the late 1950's. During this time, she received her Associates Degree from the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

On August 25, 1957, she was united in marriage to Leo C. Jensen at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church west of Audubon. Four children were born to this union. Audrey was a homemaker for a number of years while she was rearing her children. She returned to teaching at the Audubon Community Schools in 1968. She attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, during summers and received her Bachelors Degree in Education in 1979. Audrey taught in the Audubon School System until she retired in 1989. She dedicated a total of 31 years to teaching.

Audrey was a volunteer for Audubon Community activities and received the Audubon Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award in 1993. She was a volunteer at the Bedstemor's House and the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn, Iowa, and Nathaniel Hamlin Park in Audubon.

Audrey was an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Audubon. She taught and was Sunday School Superintendent and also taught Bible School. She organized fundraisers for Lutheran Brotherhood and AAL. She provided transportation for many people unable to attend local events and medical appointments in Omaha or Des Moines. She also delivered Meals on Wheels to shut-ins. She was an active member of the Retired Teachers Organization in both Audubon and Exira.

Audrey enjoyed family vacations, reading, traveling throughout the United States, and was proud of her family's farm that was purchased by her great-grandparents in 1878. She cared for her father and brother for many years.

Preceding her in death in addition to her husband, were her parents; her infant sister Doris Bonnalynn Jones; her brothers: Floyd Jones and Boyd Jones; her borthers-in-law: Wayne E. Jensen; Willis O. Jensen and Donald Rutherford.

Survivors include her children: Jennifer J. Jensen of Omaha, NE; Wayne L. Jensen of Raytown, MO; Karen L. and her husband Roger K. Nelson of Oakland, IA; Karla R. and her husband Reverend Mark Jensen of Beaver Dam, WI; her grandchildren: Kirsten Nelson and Joshua Nelson both of Oakland; Micah Jensen, Isaac Jensen, and Kamilla Jensen all of Beaver Dam; her sisters: Bernice and husband Duane Barratt of Irwin, IA; Fauntella Rutherford of Elgin, OR; her sisters-in-law: Mary and her husband Harold Sand of Audubon; Betty Horton of LeMars, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. Honorary casket bearers will be: Duane Barratt, Harold Sand, Jesse Carrithers, Bob Jensen, Richard Gleason, Don Stiles, David Bintner, Bob Alt, Dan Jensen, Glee Huey and Jerry Jensen. Casket bearers will be Dennis Miller, Jerry Karns, Jim Borkowski, Randy Nemitz, Ralph Dent and Douglas Gleason.