Memorial services for Shirley Ann Jensen will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Ellendale, MN. Pastor Randy Cirksena will officiate. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at the church.
Shirley died Friday, February 22, 2019 at the Thorne Crest Retirement Center in Albert Lea, MN. She was 89 years of age.
Shirley was born May 5, 1929 in Racine, WI, 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 the United Methodist Church in Ellendale and participated in the Operation Classroom Project.
Shirley worked for the Ellendale Elevator, Herter’s in Waseca, MN, the Ellendale Bank and the 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, MN, Dianne (Allen) Lee of Ellendale, MN, DeWayne (Laurie) Jensen of Geneva, MN, Nancy Williams of New Richland, MN, Barb (Kipp) Heyer of Geneva, MN, 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), Remi Wayne (Friend Nolan). 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, MN, brothers-in-law Ed (Norrine) Jensen of Ellendale, MN, Dennis Jensen of Albert Lea, MN, Claire Ellingson of IN, sister-in-law Joanne Newhurt, WI, 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 sister-in-law Judy Jensen and Marlow Thompson.
Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association or Operation Classroom.