Obituary of Richard Harold Jensen

Richard H. Jensen Funeral services for Richard Howard Jensen, of Newton, will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009 at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton, who have been entrusted with the arrangements. A visitation with the family will be held from 4 p.m. until 7:00 Monday, Dec. 21, at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Newton Union Cemetery. In LIEU of flowers: Memorials in Richard's name are being designated; to Hospice of Jasper County or to the Jasper County Conservation Board for Bike Trails. Richard H. Jensen, 78, the son of Arthur and Lydia (Betz) Jensen, was born June 30, 1931 in Broken Bow, NE. He was a graduate of the Broken Bow High School, Class of 1949. A longtime resident of the Newton, IA area, he retired from the Maytag Company in 1994. On June 3, 1965, Richard was united in marriage with Margaret L. Jensen in Maple Springs, NY. He had devoted his life to his family and friends, and was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was very active and loved to ride his bike to and from work, and on the Chichaqua Valley Recreation Trail. Dick died on Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, in the Monarch Wing at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters: Phyllis Krause and Arlene Kopsa. Those left to honor Dick's memory include his wife Margaret L. Jensen of Newton; his four children: Connie (Jim) Rodine of Dallas Center, IA, Mark (Sherri) Jensen of Urbandale, IA, Eric (Jolene) Jensen of Newton and Lydia (Shane) Hughes of Fulton, New York; his twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; brothers: John Jensen of Gothenburg, NE and David Jensen of Lincoln, NE; his sisters: Ann Funkhauser of Lochbuie, CO and Jean Hastings of East Peoria, IL; several nieces and nephews; and his many good friends. Calling hours will be Monday, Visitation with the family will be from 4 - 7pm at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home, 310 N. 2nd Ave. E., Newton, IA. The funeral will be Tuesday at 10:30 at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home, 310 N. 2nd Ave. E., Newton with Pastor Gary Marzolf officiating. Burial will be in Newton Union Cemetery, Newton.