Mildred A. Jensen

Mildred “Millie” Ann (DeVries) Jensen, 83, of Thornton, Iowa, passed away on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at her home, under hospice care, surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Oct. 9, at Retz Funeral Home, in Thornton, with Mr. Gerald Haugland presiding.  Interment was at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Thornton.

Mildred was born Nov. 8, 1930, in Sheffield, Iowa, to Jerry and Lena (Schroeder) DeVries.  Mildred graduated from the Thornton Consolidated School in 1949 with high honors.

On Nov. 6, 1949, Mildred was united in marriage to Eugene Jensen.  They became the parents of five children and lived their entire life in Thornton.

Mildred worked along with her husband running the Thornton Produce.  After closing the business, Mildred started working for the Thornton Locker until that closed.

Mildred and Eugene were snowbirds, spending 16 years in Arizona until her declining health kept them home.

Mildred was known for her baking, especially her lemon pies and angel food cake.  She loved to cook and would have Sunday meals for her family.  Every afternoon she would have coffee and treats for her family and whoever else stopped.  She enjoyed their company and liked to hear the latest news.

In her spare time, you would find Mildred doing crossword puzzles, (especially Bonanza Bill), sewing, or watching her favorite TV shows - “The Big Bang Theory,” “Rifleman,” and “Emergency.”  After her appointments, she would say, “Do we have time to stop at McDonalds?”  Her favorite was a hamburger with extra pickles and an orange drink.  

Her pride and joy were her family, especially her grandkids.  Several times she would remind her kids, “you did a great job picking the in-laws, and I could not have done a better job.”  On Sept. 14 of this year, she became “Grandma Great” for the first time and she let everyone know because she was so excited.

Mildred is survived by her son, Michael (Betty) Jensen, Thornton; daughter, Connie (Larry) Stadtlander, Thornton; Kathy (Tom) Janeka, Thornton; Laurie Mecham and friend, Glenn Maas, Clear Lake; her grandkids, Robert Jensen, Sheffield, Jamie (Amanda) Janeka, Thornton, Amber Janeka, Seattle, Wash., Kelly Jensen, Las Vegas, Nev.; and her great-granddaughter, Jovie Janis Janeka.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Gene; her son, Donnie; her son-in-law, Floyd; her parents, Jerry and Lena DeVries; parents-in-law, Askel and Mable Jensen; sisters, Mary Wiebenga and Lucy DeVries; brother, Don DeVries, and several other family members.

Memorials may be addressed to the family in her memory.

Retz Funeral Home, Thornton, was in charge of arrangements.