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Wanda Jensen

December 26, 1922 - May 24, 2023

 

Wanda Jensen passed away peacefully on May 24, 2023 while in hospice care at Olathe Med Hospice House. She was born December 26, 1922 in Osceola, Iowa, to Everette King (E K) and Lila Trumbo Jones.  She was married on May 19, 1945 to John Jensen who passed in 1968. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother E K Jones, Jr. and his wife Helen, and nephew E K Jones III. She is survived by her son John Jensen, his wife Phyllis of Overland Park, Kansas, granddaughters Jennifer Kesinger of Olathe, Kansas and Jill Humes and husband Dave of North Kansas City, Missouri, great grandchildren Kaitlin, Kendall and Keegan Kesinger , Jacob, Henry and Max Humes,  and great great granddaughter Willow Kaplan, as well as several nieces and nephews.

 

She grew up in Osceola and graduated from Osceola High School. She received her teaching degree from Buena Vista College. She met her husband in Osceola where he was teaching. They moved to Colorado for a short time where their son John was born. They moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa in 1947 where Wanda lived until moving to Overland Park in 2005 to be close to her family.

 

Wanda taught kindergarten in Council Bluffs for 30 years, retiring at age 62. In retirement she loved to travel and took many trips around the world with friends. Her last overseas trip was to Australia and New Zealand at age 80 with her granddaughter Jill, where she and Jill were the oldest and youngest members of the tour group.

 

While in Council Bluffs she was an avid golfer at Lake Shore Country Club and an active member of Saint John’s Lutheran Church, P.E.O., DAR, Beta Sigma Phi and retired teachers. When she moved to Overland Park she joined Atonement Lutheran Church where her son’s family are members. She was a lifelong sports fan. She loved all sports. She became a big Nebraska fan as her husband was a Nebraska graduate and also a big sports fan. When she moved to Overland Park she rarely missed a Royals game on TV.

 

She lived a long and active life and will be greatly missed by her family.
Send Condolences

Condolences

Rebecca Racunas May 27, 2023

PEO sister ,Leawood ,Kansas

I was saddened to hear of Wanda’s passing. She had a vibrant personality and will continue to be missed at our PEO, Chapter HA meetings. May God bless your family. Sending sympathy and prayers.

Jo and John Hillard May 30, 2023

Friends ,Livingston ,Montana

John and family, We are sad to learn of Wanda's passing. She was a great person to know and visit with. She will be missed. The Hillard's

Kathy Waters Oltmans Jul 06, 2023

Friend, neighbor ,Council Bluffs ,Iowa

John, I'm sorry for your loss. Your Mom had a ready smile. I volunteered with her sometimes in her years in CB. Not many of our Harrison school families left.

Keith Head Jul 06, 2023

Sorry to hear of Mrs. Jensen's passing. She was my Kindergarten teacher at Roosevelt School in 1955. She was a great teacher.

Jane Kirchner Jul 06, 2023

CB friend ,Council Bluffs ,Iowa

My heart is sad reading of dear Wanda's passing. The Lakeshore golf ladies and Beta Sigma Phi sisters are having a joyous reunion together again. Thank you, John, for posting in the Nonpareil. Told Susan Hilburn Johnson and Sherry Bills-Taylor. Rest of the group are now reunited. Prayers to you all as this fine lady leaves a big void behind. She loved you all dearly and spoke of you often. Was just going to send her pics of Michael's wedding, age 30. Blessings, Jane Tedesco Kirchner

Nancy Rutherford Jul 07, 2023

teacher ,Bellevue ,Nebraska

I am sorry to hear of your loss. I was the next Kindergarten teacher after Wanda left Roosevelt Elementary. She came to school and helped me several times as I learned the ropes. She was a lovely person.

Michael Gallner Jul 07, 2023

Student of Mr. Jensen ,formerly of Council Bluffs ,Nebraska

I am so sorry for your loss, John. Your father was principal at Washington Elementary School in the 1950's, where we were students. My greatest recollection is of your parents pushing their golf clubs at the Elks Country Club before it was Lakeshore. They were lovely people. You, John, were a fine placekicker for the Abraham Lincoln Lynx. May your family's dear mother rest in peace.