Fern Jensen

   Fern Ann, daughter of George and Dora (Gruhn) Struve, was born March 3, 1930 in Manning, Iowa. She was baptized May 4, 1930 and confirmed on April 2, 1944 at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. Fern attended rural school and then graduated from Manning High School in 1947. She was active in school and was elected Homecoming Queen. Following graduation Fern lived in Des Moines for a couple of years working as a secretary. When she returned to Manning, she renewed her friendship with her good friend’s brother Ken Jensen. He was serving in the United States Army and they were married August 23, 1953 after his honorable discharge. Fern and Ken made their first home in the apartment above the Carriage House at the Hausbarn/Heritage Park where their first two sons were born. Several years later they moved to their farm just east of Manning and became the parents of four more children.

   Fern was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where she served as an organist as well as a church secretary for many years. In addition, Fern was a dedicated member of the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries. She was an enthusiastic supporter of all Manning Bulldog sports and kept busy by volunteering her time and talents wherever needed within the community. She was always concerned about what to feed her family and friends, whether at home or on road trips. Fern and Ken loved their card club, getting together with friends and traveling with family. Above all, Fern was both devoted and supportive as a wife, mom and grandma.

   After Ken died in 2008, she became a resident of the Manning Plaza nursing home. She lived happily there for several years. Fern died peacefully on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at the age of 85 years, 11 months and 15 days at the Manning Regional Healthcare Center after a brief illness.

   Preceding her in death are her parents; husband; two brothers Ralph Struve (Velma), Glen Struve (Lois) and sister Irene Doane (Sam).

   Fern is survived by her six children Lonnie Jensen (Karen) of Lake in the Hills, IL; Mark Jensen (Sue) of Denison; Scott Jensen (Valerie) of Tiskilwa, IL; Kyle Jensen (Sherry) of Lee’s Summit, MO; Becky Bruch (Mike) of Audubon and Jodi Nissen (Brian) of Osceola; 17 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Faye Walder of Carlsbad, CA and Judy Jensen of Gardiner, MT; brother-in-law Wayne “Butch” Jensen (Pam) of Manning; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Reverend Jonathan Connor
Reverend Robert Riggert

 

 

Music
“In The Garden”    
“Just As I Am”
“Beautiful Savior”
Carolyn Kerkhoff, Organist

 

Luncheon Speaker - Kyle Jensen

Casket Bearers Don Jensen
All Doane
Pat Barry
Jeff Siepker
Todd Gruhn
Dwight Gruhn

 

Honorary Casket Bearers Fern’s Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren