THORKIL JENSEN

1919 - 2015

Thorkil Jensen of Overland Park, KS, passed away on February 3, 2015. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 11, at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd., followed by a graveside service in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. There will be a memorial service at Overland Park Lutheran Church at a later date. Memorials may be sent to the Overland Park Lutheran Church or the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Thorkil was born January 23, 1919 in Vejle, Denmark. He and his parents emigrated to the United States in December, 1923. They settled in Stillwater, MN. He graduated from high school in 1937 and received a B.S. degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN in 1941. Thorkil then spent four years in the United States Army Air Corps. As a B-17 navigator he flew 30 combat missions over Europe. In 1952 he was awarded a Ph.D. degree in Biology by the University of Minnesota. Then for 35 years he served as a Professor of Microbiology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. During the last ten years Thorkil also served as Associate Dean of the School of Medicine. He was a member of several scientific societies. At the time of his retirement a Microbiology Scholarship Fund was established in his name at the KU School of Medicine. During his retirement years he spent many hours in community volunteer activities. He has been an active member of the Overland Park Lutheran Church since 1952, taught Sunday school and had been President of the congregation. Thorkil was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and one grandson. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Lorraine, daughter Charlotte Updike (Randall), four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one cousin in Denmark, and many nieces and nephews. Mt Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home. 10507 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO 64131. (816) 942-2004 www.mtmoriah-freeman.com