Mary Lorraine Jensen Sand, the daughter of Simon L. and Anna C. Thygesen Jensen, was born January 18, 1923, at her parents home in Douglas Township, Audubon County, Iowa, and died October 1, 2008, at St. Elizabeths Regional Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the age of 85 years, 8 months and 13 days.
Mary was baptized April 10, 1923, at Ebenezer Lutheran Church west of Audubon and confirmed April 18, 1937, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Audubon. She attended Audubon Community Schools, graduating with the High School Class of 1940. During high school, Mary played basketball for four years and was the team captain her senior year. During World War II, Mary moved to California where she worked. She later returned to the Audubon area where she was employed at Farmers Produce Hatchery.
On December 25, 1950, she was united in marriage to Harold Sand at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in rural Audubon County. From the summer of 1951 through 1954, Mary and Harold followed the wheat harvest circuit living in a small camper and in bunkhouses. They farmed in Shelby and Audubon Counties, purchasing their present farm in 1964. Mary helped Harold operate their farm and also was employed as a bookkeeper at Ralph Cramer Insurance Agency, Jensen Motor Company, Elmer Carlson, Inc., and Buds DX Station. She then served as head Librarian for 15 years at the Audubon Public Library, retiring in 1983.
Mary was a long time member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her hobbies included gardening, caring for her flowers, reading books, watching old movies, sewing, traveling, listening to music, and playing spirited games of Pinochle with family and friends. Mary continued to play basketball and roller skate for many years. She was known for her eternal optimism, spunk, wit, and her ability to create her own fun.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, are her brothers and sister-in-law: Leo C. and Audrey Jensen; Wayne E. Jensen; Willis O. Jensen; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Mildred and Donald Sullivan; Ejnar and LaDonna Sand; Evald Sand; and infant Harald Sand; her nieces: Karen Jensen Nelson and Pamela Jensen Schiltz.
Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Harold Sand of Audubon, IA; her daughters: Cindia Lea and husband Dr. Frederick Baltz of Galena, IL, and Bonnie Jo and husband Dr. Richard Whittier of Lincoln, NE; her grandchildren: Emily and husband Dr. James Gephart and their daughter Cora of Rochester, MN; Warren and wife Marcy Baltz and their son Noah of Luther, IA; Elliot and Ethan Baltz of Galena; Jason and wife Erica Whittier of Blair, NE; Dane Whittier of Osaka, Japan; Petrea Whittier of Lincoln, NE; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ruth and Richard Crandall of Manning, IA; Leroy and Nancy Sand of Kimballton, IA; Elsie and Joseph Cerveny of Omaha, NE; Eleanor and Wayne Magnuson of Omaha, NE; Esther and Charles Henderson of Manning, IA; Kenneth and Carolyn Sand of Prairie du Chien, WI; Betty and Wayne Horton of LeMars, IA; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.Honorary casket bearers will be Jim Perkins, Norman Nissen, Dean St. Peter, Norlan Rasmussen, Michael Jensen, and Roger Nelson. Casket bearers will be Warren Baltz, Elliot Baltz, Ethan Baltz, Jason Whittier, Dane Whittier, James Gephart, Wayne Jensen, and Brett Nissen.
Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.
Visitation:
The family will meet friends at Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon Sunday afternoon from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M., and then return at 6:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00.
Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Paul Sorlien and Dr. Frederick Baltz on Monday, October 6, 2008, at 10:30 A.M. at Ebenezer Lutheran Church west of Audubon.
Visits: 6
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