Shirley Jean Jensen
February 23, 1935 — August 9, 2015
Shirley Jean (Gearhart) Jensen was born on February 22, 1935, to Ottis and Iva (Duke) Gearhart in Harlan, Iowa. Shirley was the oldest of fourteen children and attended school in Harlan, graduating with the Class of 1953. She enjoyed many school activities including intramural basketball and cheerleading. While in high school, she worked as a telephone operator. As a teen she enjoyed roller skating, where she met her future husband, Lowell Jensen.
Shirley and Lowell were married in March of 1954. She worked in several areas including waitressing at Mickel’s Café and the Whitestar. She also worked at Jacobsen Travel while Lowell was engaged in farming. One memorable trip was accompanying the band during their trip to the Cotton Bowl. Five children were born to Shirley and Lowell while living in Harlan: David, Pam, Lori, Rod, and Mark.
Shirley was baptized and a longtime member of the Bethel Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School as well as participating in the women’s group. She was also a member of the Lincoln Township Women’s Social Club and a member of the Hospital Auxiliary.
The Jensen’s moved to Oklahoma in 1988. After retiring, they settled in Crawfordsville, Indiana. They were snowbirds to Apachie Junction, Arizona, for several years where they enjoyed visiting with former Shelby County friends as well as making many new friends.
After a courageous six year battle with cancer, Shirley died peacefully at her home on Sunday, August 9, 2015 at the age of eighty years, five months, and seventeen days. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Beverly Gearhart and Sharon Martinson and brothers: Ronnie, Jerry and Tom Gearhart.
She is survived by her husband of sixty-one years, Lowell Jensen of Crawfordsville, Indiana; children: David Jensen and his wife Beth of VanHorne, Iowa, Pam and her husband Bill Volenec of Omaha, Nebraska, Lori and her husband Mike Hoffmann of West Des Moines, Iowa, Rod Jensen and Colleen Abston of Crawfordsville, Indiana, Mark Jensen of Fernley, Nevada; nine grandchildren: Willy, Mickala and Katie Volenec of Omaha, Angel and her husband Justin Maschino, Hayden and Hank of Indianapolis, Holly and her husband Rob Hons; Jude of Lawrence, Indiana, Daniel Grant Jensen of Indianapolis, Indiana; sisters: Sally Bugge, Linda and her husband Lynn Watson, and Mary and her husband Arlan Cundall all of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Carolyn Cox of Arvada, Colorado; brothers: Daryl, Bill and Jim and his wife Kathy Gearhart all of Council Bluffs, Roger Gearhart and his wife Judy of Altoona, Iowa; brother- and sister-in-laws: Ron Jensen and his wife Bev of Corley, Iowa and Mary Stangel of Avoca, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other family and friends.
Shirley and Lowell were married in March of 1954. She worked in several areas including waitressing at Mickel’s Café and the Whitestar. She also worked at Jacobsen Travel while Lowell was engaged in farming. One memorable trip was accompanying the band during their trip to the Cotton Bowl. Five children were born to Shirley and Lowell while living in Harlan: David, Pam, Lori, Rod, and Mark.
Shirley was baptized and a longtime member of the Bethel Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School as well as participating in the women’s group. She was also a member of the Lincoln Township Women’s Social Club and a member of the Hospital Auxiliary.
The Jensen’s moved to Oklahoma in 1988. After retiring, they settled in Crawfordsville, Indiana. They were snowbirds to Apachie Junction, Arizona, for several years where they enjoyed visiting with former Shelby County friends as well as making many new friends.
After a courageous six year battle with cancer, Shirley died peacefully at her home on Sunday, August 9, 2015 at the age of eighty years, five months, and seventeen days. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Beverly Gearhart and Sharon Martinson and brothers: Ronnie, Jerry and Tom Gearhart.
She is survived by her husband of sixty-one years, Lowell Jensen of Crawfordsville, Indiana; children: David Jensen and his wife Beth of VanHorne, Iowa, Pam and her husband Bill Volenec of Omaha, Nebraska, Lori and her husband Mike Hoffmann of West Des Moines, Iowa, Rod Jensen and Colleen Abston of Crawfordsville, Indiana, Mark Jensen of Fernley, Nevada; nine grandchildren: Willy, Mickala and Katie Volenec of Omaha, Angel and her husband Justin Maschino, Hayden and Hank of Indianapolis, Holly and her husband Rob Hons; Jude of Lawrence, Indiana, Daniel Grant Jensen of Indianapolis, Indiana; sisters: Sally Bugge, Linda and her husband Lynn Watson, and Mary and her husband Arlan Cundall all of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Carolyn Cox of Arvada, Colorado; brothers: Daryl, Bill and Jim and his wife Kathy Gearhart all of Council Bluffs, Roger Gearhart and his wife Judy of Altoona, Iowa; brother- and sister-in-laws: Ron Jensen and his wife Bev of Corley, Iowa and Mary Stangel of Avoca, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other family and friends.
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