Anna Jensen Obituary

Anna "Ann" Bozena (Izrael) Jensen, a mother of Anne Jensen of Durango, CO., passed away peacefully at her home in Lakeside, Iowa on December 18, 2018, at the age of 88 years. Cause of death was kidney failure.

Anna was born July 8, 1930, in Chicago, IL. Her parents, John Izrael, Sr. and Anna (Placko) Izrael both immigrants from Czechoslovakia, met and settled in the Slovak neighborhood in Chicago, IL. Anna was baptized at Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church, attended Grover Cleveland Grade School, and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1948. Growing up, Anna enjoyed family Slovak dinners and pastries, polka dances, and helping her parents with their neighborhood grocery store, while her father also worked full time at the Santa Fe Railroad Yard. As a teenager, she enjoyed roller skating with her friends and going to movies. She also volunteered for the Red Cross, folding bandages during WWII. In 1949 Anna graduated from Cosmetology School and worked as a beautician in Chicago.

Anna met Robert D. Jensen Sr. while roller skating in Chicago and they were married in 1952. Robert worked as a carpenter laborer, and Anna worked part-time at home as a beautician. Together they had 4 children, Bobby, Anne, John, and Kenneth, all born in Chicago. In March of 1964, the family moved from Chicago to their farm in Storm Lake, Iowa. Anna enjoyed the farm work, especially working with the pigs and calves, walking the bean fields, and making many meals for her hard-working family & farm neighbors. She was a devoted homemaker and spent time canning garden vegetables, sewing, and baking. She was also active with her children in 4H. Anna was always proud of her children and their accomplishments.

Anna and Robert Sr. moved from the farm to Lakeside, Iowa in 1988. They continued to work at the farm for years. Anna joined the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake and became an active member of United Methodist Women (UMW). She had great faith in her Lord who gave her daily strength. Anna volunteered for many years serving at funeral lunches and at her church rummage sales. She organized the Friday Methodist Lady Lunches, a meeting of up to 15 friends who enjoyed going out to lunch and spending time with one another. Anna enjoyed knitting & crocheting sweaters, hats, mittens, dishcloths, and afghans for family and friends. She knitted many white baby blankets for baptisms and many warm hats for children in need, as well as tiny hats for newborns at Buena Vista Hospital in Storm Lake. Much of her closet full of yarn has been donated to the Durango Mad Hatters, who will knit tiny hats for Mercy Regional Medical Center newborns. Anna was an active volunteer for the Buena Vista Hospital, where she worked to put together the hospital patient admission folders.

Anna also enjoyed traveling to Chicago and suburbs to visit family and friends. She often visited Durango, CO, to spend time with her daughter, Anne, and son-in-law, Bob Steele. She enjoyed "happy hours" and dinners with many of their Durango friends. She loved the mountains, hiking in Arches National Park, and especially enjoyed a trip to the Grand Canyon, which included a reunion with a Chicago childhood girlfriend in Arizona. In 2004, Anna joined Anne and fourteen others from Durango for a tour in the Czech Republic, led by Frank Fristensky. They then traveled to Trencin, Slovakia, where they spent time with her father's family, and visited the village of Brezova Pod Bradlom, Cz., her mother's birthplace, and the gravesite of her grandparents. Anna easily remembered and spoke the Czech/Slovak language while there for 3 weeks.

Anna is survived by her son Robert D. "Bobby" Jensen Jr., of Storm Lake, IA; daughter, Anne Jensen (Bob Steele), of Durango, CO; son, John P. (Jan) Jensen , of St. Charles, IL; Five grandchildren: Jeremy (Stephanie) Jensen and Stacey (Paul) Repischek, of West Chicago IL, Derek Jensen, of Chicago, IL, and David and Amy Jensen (mother Shari Jensen), of Warrenville, IL; Five great-grandchildren: Jonathan, Austin, Lola, Madison and Sophia; sister-in-law, Ann Izrael of Park Ridge, IL; nephews Jim (Ida) Izrael and Michael (Theresa) Izrael and their son Marco of Park Ridge, IL; and cousins Norma Kucera and family of Chicago, IL; Tom (Dee) Zavadsky and family of Cary, IL. and Lynn Samborski and children, Kimberly and Christopher, of Rio Rancho, NM.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents, John Izrael, Sr and Anna Izrael; husband, Robert D. Jensen Sr; brother, John Izrael, Jr; and her son Kenneth J. Jensen.

A beautiful memorial service, followed by a luncheon was held on Saturday, December 22, 2018, at Storm Lake United Methodist Church. Anna was cremated and her ashes are now in Durango, CO., and per her wish, will be buried in Ken's memorial garden at Anne and Bob's home. Condolences may be made via the web site: www.fratzskejensen.com

Anna had wonderful neighbors in Lakeside, IA, who along with her Unity Point Hospice team and family members, helped to make it possible for Anna to remain in her home until she passed away. Anna will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and her loyal dog, Laddie. Laddie, a 12-year-old Sheltie, is now happily living with Anne and Bob in Durango, Co. Anna will be remembered by many, for her kindness, her laughter, her ability to connect with friends, and her willingness to help others. In Anna's memory, please extend yourself in kindness to others whenever you can.