Virginia Katherine Jensen

Virginia Katherine Handley Jensen, 87, of Lenoir, died following a lengthy battle with dementia and Alzheimer's Disease at her home on Tuesday, December 24, 2013. Virginia was born in Shubert, NE on July 17, 1926, to the late Arthur Lawrence Handley and Mattie Katherine Barker Handley. Virginia attended Walnut Grove Country School and later graduated from Shubert High School. During WWII she worked at a Boeing Aircraft plant in Wichita, KS, that built B-29's for the war effort. Virginia continued her education at the University of Nebraska and Peru State Teachers College, and after college became a school teacher. While in college, she met her future husband, Donald Jensen, who she married in Shubert on July 30, 1950. After living in Hamburg, IA, they moved to Saint Louis, MO, then to Charlotte, eventually settling in Lenoir where they raised their three sons. Virginia was active in her community, church, and home; being a Baton Ruritanette member, an active member and teacher at her beloved Colliers United Methodist Church, and a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved flowers, gardening, animals of all kinds, enjoyed cooking, and writing and receiving letters from friends and family. In addition to her parents, Virginia was preceded in death by a son, Mark Terrell Jensen; six brothers: Wayne Barker, Logan Handley, Gail Handley, Bryce Handley, Gene Handley, and Landon Handley; and two sisters: Merle Nelson and Mattie Mae Sim. She is survived by her devoted husband of 63 1/2 years, Donald Duane Jensen; two sons: Lyle Jensen (Diana), Brent Jensen (Allison); sister: Mary Margaret Hoag (Ken); four loving grandchildren: Douglas Jensen, Joe Jensen, Amy Jensen Dunlap (Lee), and Landon Jensen; numerous nieces and nephews; their loyal dog: Whitey; and a special member of the family, caregiver and friend Mary Shell. The family would like to thank Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care of Lenoir for their care, support, and guidance during this difficult time. The family also wishes to thank their friends and family for their thoughts and prayers. A funeral service honoring Virginia Jensen will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, December 28 at Colliers United Methodist Church with Reverend Lori Anne Bowen presiding. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service starting at 10:00 in the church sanctuary. Interment will follow at a later date in Hamburg, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to: Caldwell Opportunities, Inc., 1617 College Avenue, SW, Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences may be sent to the Jensen Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com. Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Jensen Family. PDF Printable Version