Rosa May Clemsen

Rosa May Clemsen, the daughter of Jens Peter Jensen and Johanne Jorgine Kristine Jensen, was born on January 6, 1932, at her parents’ home in Clay Township, Shelby County, IA and died November 7, 2025, at Cass Health in Atlantic, IA, at the age of 93 years, surrounded by her loving family.

Rosa attended kindergarten through 8th grade at Oakfield #3 country school in Audubon County, IA and graduated with the class of 1950 from Elk Horn, IA high school. One year, post high school, she attended Omaha Commercial Extension in Omaha, NE, graduating in 1951. She went on to work as a secretary and billing specialist with an engineering firm in Omaha, NE.

On April 24, 1954, she was united in marriage to Glen Dale Clemsen at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, IA. Five children: Laurie, Bryan, Susan, Jan, and Joy were born to this union. On the family farm they grew row crops and raised livestock until they retired. Rosa and Glen took numerous bus tours around the country in their retirement as well as multiple trips to Denmark to visit family and friends.

Rosa’s greatest joy was her family enjoying meals together, reminiscing and of course coffee and a sweet treat. She had an uncanny memory of people, places and things while keeping in touch with everyone through texts, letters, and email. She was a lifetime member of the Elk Horn Lutheran Church and spent 30 years volunteering at the Museum of Danish America, her passion and joy, meeting new people and making lifelong friends.

Left to cherish her memory is Laurie Towne, Ft. Dodge, IA, Bryan (Shari) Clemsen, Brayton, IA, Susan (Steve) Finn, Harlan, IA Jan (Rob) Reicks, West Des Moines, IA, and Joy (John) Gajda, Lindenhurst, Il, 15 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and one step great-grandchild, many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and her beloved cat, Fluffy.

Public visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Exira, IA.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, IA, with Pastor Laura Webb officiating. Interment will take place following the funeral at the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery. A luncheon will be held following the committal in the Fellowship Hall of the church.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Exira. IA.