The funeral service for Violet Idora Nelson Jensen, of Albert Lea, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 21, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Lissa Kahl will officiate. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, and one hour before at the church.

Violet died Tuesday, June 18, 2002, at the Albert Lea Medical Center. She was 89 years old.

Violet was born Aug. 14, 1912, to E. A. (Ed) and Ida (Halseth) Nelson in Albert Lea. Violet graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1930 with high academic honors. On June 7, 1932, she was united in marriage with Kermit Jensen in Fairmont, and together they farmed in the Manchester and Clarks Grove areas. She attended Mankato State College earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She taught school at Clarks Grove, Hollandale, Maple Island, Starlight Rural School and Halverson Elementary in Albert Lea. She had resided in the Albert Lea area her entire life.

As a member of Trinity Lutheran Church she was a charter member of Altar Guild, Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, Bible Study Leader and a member of the Brazil Circle. Other activities included: 4-H leader, memberships to Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, Retired Teachers Association, Business and Professional Women, and Thorne Crest Auxiliary.

Violet is survived by two daughters: Beverly Henry of Albert Lea and her friend, Dean Means, and Evelyn and husband, Bill Matthies Jr., of Brainerd; eight grandchildren: Mark (Micky) Henry of New Brighton, Marcia (Richard) Hoffman of Albert Lea, Marlene (Roger) Bjortomt of Mankato, James (Melissa) Matthies of Mankato, Michael (Karen) Henry of Albert Lea, Mary (Todd) Wheeler of Alexandria, Jane Matthies of Brainerd, and Todd (Darlene) Matthies of Brainerd; 17 great-grandchildren: Joel, Tracy (Deanna), Amy and Katie Henry of New Brighton, Jon and Bryan Hoffman of Mankato, Blake and Brook Bjortomt of Mankato, Beau (Shelly) and Dalton of Mankato, Billy Matthies of San Diego, Calif., Nicole Smith of Brainerd, Ryan, Seth and Jordan Henry of Albert Lea, and Marrissa and Jake Wheeler of Alexandria; one great-great-grandson, Tanner Matthies of Mankato; siblings: Luella Earl of Albert Lea, Dorothy Hougard of Selma, Calif., and Eddie (Christine) Nelson of Watsonville, Calif.; sisters-in-law: Betty Nelson of Amory, Wis., and Pearl Traufler of Hastings; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kermit, in 1994; brothers: Vernon and Kenneth; sisters: Virginia Larson and Deloris Halland; and son-in-law, Robert Henry.

Violet will be remembered for her warm smile, friendly conversations and fun loving attitude. She was an excellent teacher with a strong Christian faith that inspired many. Her family will miss this generous warm hearted woman as will her many friends at Thorne Crest.