Mary Louise Jensen

January 16, 1942 ~ July 28, 2017

VISITATION DETAILS

Sunday, July 30, 2017

1:00 – 8:00 PM

Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home

Harlan, IA

(get directions)

The family will greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Funeral Home.

WAKE SERVICE DETAILS

Sunday, July 30, 2017

7:00 PM

Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home

Harlan, IA

(get directions)

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL

Monday, July 31, 2017

10:30 AM

St. Michael’s Catholic Church

Harlan, IA

(get directions)

Burial will be in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, Iowa

SURVIVORS

Husband – Paul Jensen of Harlan, IA

1 Son – Matt (Jill) Jensen of Sioux Falls, SD

1 Sister – Gertrude (William) Madsen of Audubon, IA

1 Brother – James Bowman of Des Moines, IA

1 Granddaughter – Emerie Jensen of Sioux Falls, SD

Nieces & Nephews

Other Relatives & Friends

Mary Louise Jensen, the daughter of George Wilson and Helen Irene (Burkhardt) Bowman was born on January 16, 1942, in Audubon, Iowa. She attended the country school where her mother was the teacher, and then graduated from Audubon Public High School in 1960. Mary first attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado, and then transferred to Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where she received her BA in Lower Elementary Education.

On August 8, 1964, Mary and Paul LeRoy Jensen were married at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon, Iowa. The couple moved to Harlan, Iowa, and Mary taught for 44 years, until her retirement in 2007.

Mary was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. She was active in Shelby County politics with the Democratic Party. Teaching was Mary’s passion, and she actively represented the interests of students and teachers by serving in the local, state, and national educational associations. A caring and thoughtful person, Mary enjoyed visiting with friends, as well as spending time reading and doing find-a-word puzzles.

Mary L. Jensen died on Friday, July 28, 2017, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa. She had reached the age of 75 years, 6 months, and 12 days.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Paul Jensen of Harlan, Iowa; one son, Matt (Jill) Jensen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; one sister, Gertrude (William) Madsen of Audubon, Iowa; one brother, James Bowman of Des Moines, Iowa; one granddaughter, Emerie Jensen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, July 31, 2017, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa, with Father John Frost and Deacon Pat Davitt celebrating. Kate Kohorst and John Madsen served as the musicians. Casket bearers were Bill Fankell, Julie Jensen, Craig Jensen, Brian Jensen, David Jensen, and Craig A. Jensen. Burial was in the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.