Ruth Ione Jensen, 79, of Owatonna, died Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Pleasant Manor in Faribault. Ruth was born Feb 17, 1939 in New Richland, Minnesota to Kenneth and Agnes (Wakefield) McColley. Ruth Graduated from New Richland High School in 1957. She had her first job at Ole's Cafe starting at age 15, making 35 cents an hour starting wage. She worked there until graduation. Ruth helped teach Bible school also during this time. Ruth then attended Mankato Business College, where she graduated with a degree in Accounting. She came to Owatonna, for a job at OTC, and where she was set up on a blind date, meeting the love of her life, David Jensen. They were married Oct. 10 1959, in New Richland. They would have been married 60 years this October. From this union 4 children were born, three survived, Craig, Cyndy, Darrell.
Ruth also worked in the hospitality fields, working side by side with Dad at his first restaurant, then went on to work at the Owatonna Hotel, Spurgeons, JC Penney's in Owatonna. From there, Ruth went with Dad and helped with the Country Clubs, in Owatonna, Le Sueur, Mesa, Arizona, and Faribault. They bought their second business, The Birchwood Inn, in Aitkin, MN. In 1979, the family moved back to Owatonna to run, and later own, Jerry's Supper Club, selling it in 2000. Ruth also worked at Norwest, Wells Fargo Bank until her retirement in 2002.
Mom was an avid reader, loved to crochet and knit, enjoyed baking and gardening, loved family gatherings, and spent as much time with all her Grandchildren as she could. She never turned down babysitting! She always tried anything at least once!
Ruth was diagnosed with having Alzheimer’s in late 2002. Craig, David and Cyndy started The Owatonna in support of Alzheimer’s. Ruth’s infant daughter will also be interred with her at the Danish Cemetery.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Hensrud of Owatonna, MN, and her son, Darrell (and Christine) Jensen of Centerville, MN; grandchildren, Lacey and Molly Hensrud, of Owatonna, Garrett, Dane, Kylie, and Sloane Jensen of Centerville; great-granddaughter, Lily Hensrud of Owatonna; sisters, Margaret (and Carl) Stewart, Owatonna, Nancy (and Stan) Honstad of Lake Mills, IA; sister-in-law, Cologne Hortop of Owatonna and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Agnes (Wakefield) McColley; husband, David Jensen; infant daughter; son, Craig Jensen and brothers-in-law, Howard Hortop and Jack Anderson.
Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m.. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 23, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Michaelson Funeral Home with Dr. Brent Carlson officiating. Interment will be in the Danish Baptist Cemetery in Blooming Prairie.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the family.