DOROTHY MAE SMITH JENSEN

1916 - 2014

Dorothy Mae Smith Jensen of Lenexa, Kan., passed away on July 25, 2014. Dorothy was born Nov. 26, 1916, in Williamson, Ill., the daughter of a coal miner. As a teenager she moved to Chicago where she lived with her aunt, uncle and two cousins. She took a secretarial course and worked several years at a law firm in downtown Chicago. She married Harold F. Jensen on Oct. 7, 1939. Dorothy and Harold were members of the Chicago Lawn Methodist Church for over 50 years, about which Dorothy was very proud. Dorothy was a stay-at-home mother until their only daughter began high school. She went to work for Sperry & Hutchinson Co. She worked there for 20 years. After Harold's death in 1999, Dorothy moved to Lenexa to be near her daughter, grandsons and great-grandchildren. She resided at Lakeview Village from October 1999 until her death. Dorothy was preceded in death by brother, John E. Smith of Virden, Ill., and sister, Edith Glascock of California. She is survived by her daughter, Gayle Van Auken of Overland Park, Kan.; grandson, Mark Van Auken (Deanna) of Olathe, Kan.; grandson, Eric Van Auken (Beth) of Shawnee, Kan., and six great-grandchildren, Joshua, Hannah, Noah and Madeline Van Auken of Shawnee, and Connor and Miranda Wright of Olathe; as well as several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, July 31, with an 11 a.m. funeral service to follow at Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lakeview Village Foundation at www.lakeviewvillage.org, or to Crossroads Hospice online at www.crossroadshospice.com. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com Arr.: Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66210 (913) 451-1860. Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 913-451-1860, www.johnsoncountychapel.com