Obituary of Bernadette Jensen

Bernadette "Bernie" Jensen, 94, of Newton, passed away Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014, at the Skiff Medical Center in Newton. Funeral services for Bernie will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 17, at the First Lutheran Church in Newton, with Pastor Zachary Bey conducting the services. Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton, have been entrusted with the services. A visitation with the family will be held Monday, June 16, 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be designated in Bernie's name or to First Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the Newton Union Cemetery, Veteran's Section. Bernie, the daughter of Arthur "Art" Roy and Rose (Quinn) McDermott, was born February 16, 1920, in rural Newton. A lifelong resident of the Newton area, she graduated from the Newton Senior High, Class of 1937. On December 11, 1945, Bernie was united in marriage with Dan Dale Jensen in Des Moines. She had devoted her life to family, friends, and was an active member of the Newton First Lutheran Church and its community. She did clerical work at D&P Lumber in Newton, for many years and seasonal work at the Maytag Dairy. Bernie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Dan on Jan. 31, 2004; her son Dean in 1998; two sisters: Marie and Regina; and three brothers: Vincent, Denny and Thomas. Those left to honor Bernie's memory include her two sons: Doug A. (Sherry) Jensen and Dale Jensen, all of Newton; her seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; a brother Joe (Barb) McDermott of Newton; a sister Peg Claerhout of Meza, AZ; her nieces and nephews; and her many good neighbors and friends.