Shirley Jensen

Shirley Lee Jensen, 89, of Waterville, Kansas passed away at Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice in Manhattan on January 11, 2024, after her battle with cancer.

Shirley was born in Concord, Massachusetts to William A. and Helen Lee Wilkie, June 20, 1934. She graduated from Concord High School, Concord, MA in 1952 and later from Chandler School for Women in Boston. Shirley married Robert Stanley Jensen on December 18, 1954, at the Congregational Church, in Carlisle, MA. Bob and Shirley lived in various places throughout the Midwest, during which Bob was a teacher, coach and college administrator, and Shirley held various jobs, including 13 years as Manager of the bookstore at Kansas Technical Institute, now Kansas State University, Salina. Bob and Shirley traveled extensively during their marriage, including spending a year as Winnebago Ambassadors. Bob died in April of 1996.

Shirley married George Candea-Kromm on December 15, 2007, at First Lutheran Church in Manhattan, KS. They lived in Gwinn, Michigan, where George was the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church. They also resided in Stuttgart, KS, where he was pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

Shirley had a strong sense of community, devoting time to her church, the Waterville library and the Weaver Hotel. She enjoyed the many people she met and interacted with in these settings. She had a very curious mind which she nurtured with relationships, activities and avid reading. Shirley was a progressive and independent thinker, and a wonderful conversationalist whose wit and wisdom will be remembered by those who knew her.

In addition to George, survivors include Shirley’s two sons: Richard and his wife Michelle of Manhattan, KS, and Rodney and his wife Jana of South Orange, NJ; four grandsons: Jay Jensen and wife Kristen (sons Owen and Benjamin) of Fort Collins, CO; Cory Jensen and wife Briana (children Ellis, Cam, Emmy and Andie) of Hanover, KS; Parker Jensen of Philadelphia, PA; Grantham Jensen and wife Brooke of Yardley, PA.

Survivors also include Shirley’s sisters, Virginia Lee Mills of Carlisle, MA and Barbara Lee Waites and husband Doug of Bethlehem, NH. She is survived by numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, Wisconsin “family” and friends, and George’s sons, Nathan, Jon and Bryan Candea-Kromm.

Viewing is from noon to 8:00pm, with a visitation to be held from 6:00 to 8:00pm, on Friday, January 19, 2024, at the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville

Funeral services will be at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Waterville, at 10:30 am, on Saturday, January 20, 2024 with Pastor David Thompson officiating.  Kim Oatney will be the musician.  Congregational hymns will include, “It Is Well With My Soul” and “Amazing Grace”.  Casket Bearers are: Richard Jensen, Rodney Jensen, Jay Jensen, Cory Jensen, Parker Jensen and Grant Jensen.  Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Waterville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Meadowlark Hospice of Clay Center or Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice. These memorials may be sent to Christie-Anderes Funeral Home, PO Box 61, Waterville, KS 66548.