Individual Details
Leo Christian Jensen
(10 Dec 1920 - 21 Feb 2001)
Leo Christian Jensen, son of Simon L. and Anna C. (Thygesen) Jensen, was born at his parent's home in Douglas Township, Audubon County, on December 10, 1920.
Leo began his education in the Douglas Center rural schools. He continued his education in the Audubon Public Schools when the Jensen family moved to Audubon in 1927. Leo graduated from Audubon High School in 1940.
In 1940, Leo enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard as an apprentice seaman. He was honorably discharged in 1945, having attained the rank of Boatswain's Mate Second Class. Following his discharge, he returned to farm on his family's farm west of Audubon. He worked at the Audubon Lumber Center from 1970 until he retired in 1982. He enjoyed nineteen years of gardening, traveling and other hobbies.
Leo was united in marriage to Audrey Jones, daughter of Ted and Mae (Lemmon) Jones at Ebenezer Lutheran Church on August 25, 1957.
Audrey Byrd Jones was born in a log cabin near Gage, Musselshell County, Montana, on February 9, 1929.
Audrey's family can be traced to the 1750's in Ireland and includes numerous Revolutionary War veterans from Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Her great-grandparents, Isaac W. and Eunice Lavina (Zion) Wright, were pioneer settlers east of Audubon. In 1878, the Wrights purchased the land from the railroad; Audrey and her siblings later grew up on this farm. SEE ALSO: Isaac W. and Eunice Lavina (Zion) Wright
Audrey moved with her family to her great-grandparents' farm near Audubon in 1930. She was baptized at the Presbyterian Church in June, 1938. Audrey attended Audubon Public Schools and, after graduation in 1947, dedicated 33 years of her life to teaching. She served schools in rural Audubon County, Irwin, Exira and Audubon. For many years, she also sold World Book encyclopedias. In 1979, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska. Audrey received the 1993 Audubon Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award in recognition of her many years of volunteer efforts.
Four children were born to this union, Jennifer Jo (May 27, 1960), Wayne Leo (November 18,1963), Karen Lynn (December 5,1964), and Karla Rae (January 17,1966).
Jennifer currently resides in Omaha, Nebraska, where she is Director of Marketing for Voda One Corp.
Wayne lives in Raytown, Missouri. He has been employed by DST Systems of Kansas City, Missouri, since 1985.
On September 10, 1988, Karla married Pastor Mark Jensen of Keystone, Iowa, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon. They are the parents of Micah Daniel, Isaac Mark, and Kamilla Elise. SEE ALSO: Pastor Mark and Karla (Jensen) Jensen
On June 16, 1990, Karen married Roger Nelson of Albert Lea, Minnesota, at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. They are the parents of Josuha Adam and Kirsten Marie. SEE ALSO: Roger K. and Karen (Jensen) Nelson
All of the Jensen daughters attended Dana College in Blair, Nebraska.
After a five-year struggle with anemia that turned into leukemia, Leo passed away on February 21, 2001, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital. Interment was in Maple Grove Cemetery. Today, Audrey makes her home at the Friendship Home.
The Jensens are members of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church.
Leo began his education in the Douglas Center rural schools. He continued his education in the Audubon Public Schools when the Jensen family moved to Audubon in 1927. Leo graduated from Audubon High School in 1940.
In 1940, Leo enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard as an apprentice seaman. He was honorably discharged in 1945, having attained the rank of Boatswain's Mate Second Class. Following his discharge, he returned to farm on his family's farm west of Audubon. He worked at the Audubon Lumber Center from 1970 until he retired in 1982. He enjoyed nineteen years of gardening, traveling and other hobbies.
Leo was united in marriage to Audrey Jones, daughter of Ted and Mae (Lemmon) Jones at Ebenezer Lutheran Church on August 25, 1957.
Audrey Byrd Jones was born in a log cabin near Gage, Musselshell County, Montana, on February 9, 1929.
Audrey's family can be traced to the 1750's in Ireland and includes numerous Revolutionary War veterans from Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Her great-grandparents, Isaac W. and Eunice Lavina (Zion) Wright, were pioneer settlers east of Audubon. In 1878, the Wrights purchased the land from the railroad; Audrey and her siblings later grew up on this farm. SEE ALSO: Isaac W. and Eunice Lavina (Zion) Wright
Audrey moved with her family to her great-grandparents' farm near Audubon in 1930. She was baptized at the Presbyterian Church in June, 1938. Audrey attended Audubon Public Schools and, after graduation in 1947, dedicated 33 years of her life to teaching. She served schools in rural Audubon County, Irwin, Exira and Audubon. For many years, she also sold World Book encyclopedias. In 1979, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska. Audrey received the 1993 Audubon Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award in recognition of her many years of volunteer efforts.
Four children were born to this union, Jennifer Jo (May 27, 1960), Wayne Leo (November 18,1963), Karen Lynn (December 5,1964), and Karla Rae (January 17,1966).
Jennifer currently resides in Omaha, Nebraska, where she is Director of Marketing for Voda One Corp.
Wayne lives in Raytown, Missouri. He has been employed by DST Systems of Kansas City, Missouri, since 1985.
On September 10, 1988, Karla married Pastor Mark Jensen of Keystone, Iowa, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon. They are the parents of Micah Daniel, Isaac Mark, and Kamilla Elise. SEE ALSO: Pastor Mark and Karla (Jensen) Jensen
On June 16, 1990, Karen married Roger Nelson of Albert Lea, Minnesota, at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. They are the parents of Josuha Adam and Kirsten Marie. SEE ALSO: Roger K. and Karen (Jensen) Nelson
All of the Jensen daughters attended Dana College in Blair, Nebraska.
After a five-year struggle with anemia that turned into leukemia, Leo passed away on February 21, 2001, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital. Interment was in Maple Grove Cemetery. Today, Audrey makes her home at the Friendship Home.
The Jensens are members of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church.
Events
| Birth | 10 Dec 1920 | Douglas Township, Audubon Co., Iowa |  | ||
| Marriage | 25 Aug 1957 | Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Audubon Co., Iowa - Audrey Byrd Jones | | ||
| Death | 21 Feb 2001 | Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa | | ||
| Burial | Maple Grove Cemetery, Audubon Co., Iowa | |
Families
| Spouse | Audrey Byrd Jones (1929 - 2006) |
| Child | Jennifer Jo Jensen (1960 - ) |
| Child | Wayne Leo Jensen (1963 - ) |
| Child | Karen Lynn Jensen (1964 - ) |
| Child | Karla Rae Jensen (1966 - ) |
| Father | Simon Lawrence Jensen ( - ) |
| Mother | Anna C. Thygesen (1898 - ) |
Endnotes
1. Jennifer J. Jensen, E-Mail from Jennifer J. Jensen (n.p: Bio based on 1882 County Biography, n.d).
2. Jennifer J. Jensen, E-Mail from Jennifer J. Jensen (n.p: Bio based on 1882 County Biography, n.d).
3. Jennifer J. Jensen, E-Mail from Jennifer J. Jensen (n.p: Bio based on 1882 County Biography, n.d).
4. Jennifer J. Jensen, E-Mail from Jennifer J. Jensen (n.p: Bio based on 1882 County Biography, n.d).
5. Phone call to and received from Maple Grove Cemetery, Called 712-563-3278. She returned call with informaiton on Sept. 15, 2011.