Erma Marie Jensen

Erma Marie Jensen, the daughter of Nis J. and Carrie (Riesgaard) Miller, was born August 4, 1919, at her parents’ home in Audubon County, near Kimballton, Iowa and died April 26, 2013, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 93 years, 8 months, and 22 days. Erma was baptized and confirmed at the Bethany Lutheran Church northeast of Kimballton, Iowa. She attended various rural schools in Audubon County. On May 22, 1937, she was united in marriage to Andrew (Andy) Jensen at the Atlantic Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa. Four children: Ardell, Byron, Donita, and Colleen were born to this union. They operated several farms in the Audubon County area until 1952 when they moved into Audubon. Erma was employed at the Audubon Produce where she candled and sorted eggs for several years until the Produce closed. Erma then operated a day care in her home for many years until she retired to care for Andy who was in failing health. Andy died March 17, 1994. Erma enjoyed her home then moved to the Friendship Home in October of 2009. Erma was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. She enjoyed playing cards and crocheting. Erma and Andy enjoyed traveling, camping, and having coffee and sweets with her friends and neighbors. Erma was preceded in death by her husband Andrew Jensen; her parents; her infant sister Selma Miller; her sister Thelma and husband Mac Madsen; her brothers: Merlin Miller, Vernon and wife Ada Miller; her brothers-in-law: Jens and wife Lazeta Jensen and William Jensen. Survivors include her children: Ardell and husband Jerry Kelly of Audubon, Iowa, Byron and wife Judy Jensen of Burlington, Colorado, Donita and husband James Schrock of Des Moines, Iowa, and Colleen and husband Gale VanAernam of Exira, Iowa; her grandchildren: Pamela Blohm of Des Moines, Iowa, Sherry Kelly and friend Tom Wood of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Janie Templeman of Omaha, Nebraska, Melanie and husband Jonathan Clayton of Johnston, Iowa; Philip and wife Liza Jensen of Woodbury, Minnesota; James Jensen of Gardner, Kansas, Jeffrey and wife Brandy Jensen of Keenesburg, Colorado, Doni Jo and husband Jeff McGivney of Des Moines, Iowa, James Schrock II and friend Kristi of Des Moines, Iowa, Jon Van Aernam and friend Jeana, Jill and husband Dan Christensen, Andrew and wife Ashley VanAernam all of Exira, Iowa; her great grandchildren: Jamie Blohm and fiancé Justin May of Urbandale, Iowa, Christine Blohm of Ames, Iowa, Reece Blohm of Audubon, Iowa, Chad and wife Brittney Templeman of Omaha, Nebraska, Mindy Templeman and fiancé Greg Lierman of Omaha, Nebraska, Lucas Clayton of Johnston, Iowa, MacKenzie Jensen, Noah Jensen, and Creighton Jensen all of Woodbury, Minnesota, Brady Jensen of Gardner, Kansas, Andrew Jensen and Corie Jensen both of Keenesburg, Colorado, Dakota Schrock of Des Moines, Iowa, Gavin McGivney of Guthrie Center, Iowa, Drew Christensen and Jaci Christensen both of Exira, Iowa, Clayton VanAernam of Exira, Iowa; her great great grandchildren: Jetta Lierman of Omaha, Nebraska, Olivia May of Urbandale, Iowa, and Katie Vontz of Omaha, Nebraska; her sister-in-law Phyllis Miller of Audubon, Iowa, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Monday evening at 5:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Mark Peterson on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at 2:00 P.M. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa.