GRAETTINGER -- A public visitation for Leonra Jensen will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Graettinger.
Private family services will be held and burial will take place at Valley View Cemetery in Graettinger.
Lenora Gaynell Jensen was born Oct. 18, 1926 in Graettinger, the daughter of John "Smokey" and Edna (Rasmussen) Clemenson, the second born of six daughters. She was raised in Graettinger and graduated from Graettinger High School in 1946. After her education she provided childcare for the Adolph and Genevieve Spies family, which she enjoyed. In September of 1946 she provided childcare and light housework for a few months for the Jack and Kate Jackson family in Emmetsburg.
She was united in marriage to Kenneth Jensen on Nov. 29, 1946 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Graettinger. They began living with Kenneth's parents until a rental home became available. In December of 1949 Lenor and Kenny started building their home in the east part of town, the previous location of the First Norwegian Church. They were blessed with three sons, Larry, Vance, and Dean. Lenor was a homemaker and helped raise their children.
Lenor and Kenny were members of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Graettinger, active with various church activities. While her husband Kenny worked at the Graettinger Light Plant, Lenor was happy being a mother and homemaker. They enjoyed many summertime trips as a family. Lenor also enjoyed playing cards (500) and Thursday night BINGO at the American Legion. She especially loved hosting her children and grandchildren for family gatherings at their home. There were many Sunday afternoon and evening family gatherings at their home.
In 1984 her husband Kenny retired as Superintendent of the Graettinger Power Plant. The first two years following his retirement, Lenor and Kenny spent the winter months in California with their sons, Vance, and Dean, who were stationed together on the US Battleship New Jersey in Long Beach, CA. They spent the following winters in Rio Grande Valley, TX in the Ranchero Village Park.
In November of 1996 Lenor and Kenny celebrated 50 years of marriage with family and friends at Bethel Lutheran Church in Graettinger. They continued wintering in Texas until 2006. In October of 2006, Kenneth was diagnosed with cancer.
On May 18, 2007 Lenor's husband Kenny died, ending their marriage of 60 years. Lenor remained living in their home in Graettinger and volunteered at the Graettinger Senior Citizens Center. In 2015 she moved to the Windsor Manor Assisted Living in Estherville. In 2018 she entered the Good Samaritan Society in Estherville, where she remained until her passing on Monday, Oct. 19, 2020.
Left to cherish her memory are her three sons, Larry, Sr. and his wife, Sherilyn Jensen of Estherville, Vance and his wife, Juliet Jensen of Moreno Valley, CA, and Dean and his wife, Dawn Jensen of Emmetsburg; seven grandchildren, granddaughter-in-law, Tammy Jensen of Estherville; Brad and his wife, Janelle Jensen of Sibley, Brian and his wife, Jessica Jensen of Rock Rapids, Jennifer and her husband, Charles Stewart of Moreno Valley, CA, Christopher Jensen of Moreno Valley, CA, Jamie and her husband, Tony Halbur of Rock Valley, Marie Jensen of Emmetsburg, and Allen and his wife, Jenna Jensen of Twentynine Palms, CA ;13 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Delores and husband Bob Barringer of Spencer, Marlys Daniels of Des Moines, Judy Garrelts of Ayrshire; sister-in-law, Maurine Jacobson and brothers-in-law Jay Reinders of Winnebago, MN and Ken Miracle; many nieces, nephews and other extended family.
She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Jensen; a grandson, Larry Jensen, Jr.; two sisters, Elaine Richardson and Kathy Reinders; brothers-in-law, Weldon Daniels, Gerhart Jensen, Bob Bes-chorner, Ivan Richardson, Richard Jensen, Jack Garrelts; sisters-in-law, Clorine Jensen and Nolene Miracle.
