Shirley Jensen, 1929-2019

Published 1:00 am Saturday, March 9, 2019

Memorial services for Shirley Ann Jensen will be at 6 p.m. March 25 at United Methodist Church in Ellendale. The Rev. Randy Cirksena will officiate. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at the church.

Shirley Jensen

Shirley died Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea. She was 89.

Shirley was born May 5, 1929, in Racine, Wisconsin, the daughter of Anton “Pete” and Minna (Schatter) Axelson. She attended public school through 11th grade in Albert Lea and graduated from Ellendale High School. In 1953 she was united in marriage to Marshall Jensen at her parents’ home in Ellendale. Shirley lived in Albert Lea on Clark Street for many years before moving to Ellendale. She was an active member of United Methodist Church in Ellendale and participated in the Operation Classroom project.

Shirley worked for Ellendale Elevator, Herter’s in Waseca, Ellendale Bank and Standard Gas Station in Ellendale before working over 25 years in the Ellendale Public Schools.

In her free time she enjoyed walking, riding her bike and flowers. For many years she cared for her parents and husband. After the death of her husband she traveled the world — only missing Antarctica — helping those in need.

Shirley is survived by her children Kathy (Steve) Roth of Lake Crystal, Dianne (Allen) Lee of Ellendale, DeWayne (Laurie) Jensen of Geneva, Nancy Williams of New Richland and Barb (Kipp) Heyer of Geneva; grandchildren Eric (Maria) Roth, Tom Roth, Mark (Rachael) Lee, Gretchen (LaShawn) Ray, Abbey Jensen, Aaron Simon, Jasmine Fitterer, Naveen (Tonya) Fitterer, Jessica (Matt) Nielsen, Trisha Wayne (friend, Tyler), Tess Heyer (friend, Justin) and Remi Wayne (friend, Nolan); and great-grandchildren Cecilia and Lily Roth, Daxter and Jared Lee, DaMarcus Xeroth, Carson, Braxton and Brock Ray Jr. and Titi and Skylar Nielsen. Also surviving is one brother, James (Gloria) Axelson, of Vinning; brothers-in-law Ed (Norrine) Jensen of Ellendale, Dennis Jensen of Albert Lea and Claire Ellingson of Indiana; sister-in-law, Joanne Newhurt, of Wisconsin; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Jeanne Ellingson; father-in-law, Gordon Jensen; mother-in-law, Clara Jensen White; brother-in-law, Wyman (Doreen) Jensen; and sisters-in-law Judy Jensen and Marlow Thompson.

Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association or Operation Classroom.