DONNA JEAN MCDOWELL JENSEN was born June 20, 1926, on a farm northwest of Rosalie, Nebraska, to Carl and Irma Holt (Durrie) McDowell. She passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at her home in Lyons, Nebraska, at the age of 85 years.

Donna attended Wilder Country School until the eighth grade at which time she entered the Rosalie Public School system where she graduated in 1944. Donna then studied at Wayne State College for two years. Her first job was in Ankeny, Iowa, at a military defense plant where 30 and 50 millimeter shells were produced. After s short stint there she moved to Lyons where her father lived. She met Elmer Irwin Jensen after the war and soon married. The two ultimately were also partners in the plumbing and heating business which became known as Jensen Plumbing and Heating. She was the business manager/bookkeeper.

Elmer and Donna had four children, Jerelyn , Douglas, Marsha and Steven.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elmer, fondly known as “Tugs” and son, Douglas Jensen.

Survivors include her children and spouses, Jerelyn Gill of Omaha, NE,  Marsha Yeagley of Kearney, NE,  Steven and wife, Lori (Olsen) Jensen of Lyons; ten  grandchildren,  Jason Gill  and  wife,  Tammy, Andrew Gill and partner, Troy Crawford, Jennifer Claypool and partner, Mike Lyman all of Omaha, Jacob Yeagley of San Francisco, CA, Spencer Yeagley of New York City, NY, Alexandra Yeagley of Avon, CO, Tracy (Jensen) Rumery and husband, Jerry of Seward, Tammy (Jensen) Hallam and husband, Kevin of Omaha, Kevin Jensen and wife, Kassie (Lewis) of Lyons, Garrett Jensen of Lincoln, NE; seven great grandchildren, Phoebe Claypool, Max Lyman, Grace Maasdam Jensen, Gavin Brownell and Harper Hallam all of Omaha, Jackson and Hunter Jensen of Lyons; brother, Richard McDowell and wife, Shirley of Boulder, CO; sister, Madge (McDowell) Church  of  El Centro,  CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, January 14, 2012, 1:00 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church in Lyons.

VISITATION: Friday, January 13, 2012, 5 - 8 p.m. at with family receiving friends 5 - 8 at Pelan Funeral Home in Lyons. Visitation Saturday will also be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Lyons Cemetery

MEMORIALS: To the Family

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

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