John W. Jensen

John W. Jensen

Plainfield

On Friday, October 26, 2012, John W. Jensen of rural Plainfield passed away at the age of 86. Senator Jensen was born in York, Nebraska on March 28, 1926 to Mathias and Bessie Jensen. The family moved to northeast Iowa in 1941, and John graduated from Dike High School in 1944. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served for two years in the South Pacific at the close of World War II.

On May 29, 1948, John married Myrtle L. Shipp. To that union five children were born, including Linda (Don) DeVries, Alan (Joelle) Jensen, Stanley (Teresa) Jensen, Rita Jensen, and Carolann Jensen. John and Myrtle farmed northeast of Plainfield for over 60 years. In addition,

John served as a Butler County Farm Bureau fieldman for eight years, and as an Iowa State Senator for 24 years, from 1979 to 2002.

Senator Jensen made the restoration, conservation, and preservation of the State Capitol his personal passion and professional mission during his tenure in the Iowa Senate, and raised public and private funds for the purpose of returning the State Capitol to its full grandeur. His obvious pride in the Capitol building was reflected in the frequent and extensive "fifty-cent tours" he conducted for visiting students, constituents, fellow legislators, and state employees.

In addition to his wife of 64 years and his children, John is survived by two brothers, Donald Jensen and Mathias Jensen; ten grandchildren--Meredith Breeden, Jessica Jensen, Cody Jensen, Lucas DeVries, Adam Breeden, JaneAnn Florez, Emily DeVries, Nick Breeden, Joshua Jensen, and Katie Jensen--and eleven great- grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Alice Marie Asmus; and two brothers, George Jensen and Robert Lyle Jensen.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 30, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly.

A 10 a.m. memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 31, at the Horton Baptist Church in rural Waverly, followed by burial at the Horton Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family.