Burdell Jensen

Burdell Jacob Jensen was born December 11, 1926, the son of Frank and Clara Jensen, in Morgan Towhsip, Schleswig, Iowa. Orpha Elsie Jensen was born August 29, 1926, the daughter of Ferdinand and Elsie Jacobs Pautsch in Willow Township. They passed away, Saturday, January 17, 2015, at the Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton, Iowa, both at the age of eighty-eight.
On June 2, 1946, the couple was united in marriage at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Charter Oak, Iowa, and was blessed with the birth of three children.
Burdell and Orpha’s love for each other, their family and their Savior was evident in every aspect of their lives. They provided a loving, nurturing, and caring home for their children to grow and become thoughtful and loving adults. They were both active members at the United Church of Christ in Schleswig, being involved in the church council as well as holding other offices such as President of Brotherhood and President of the Junior Guild. They were both strong believers in education and planning for the future. Burdell and Orpha both enjoyed playing cards. His specialty was poker and hers was Bridge. They were both 50 year members of the 500 club. They enjoyed traveling to Africa and Spain and bus trips, in their later years.
Burdell was a visionary who was a life-long volunteer in the community.. He was a former president of the Crawford County Beef Producers, Retirement Home Board, and Morgan Cemetery Board. Burdell was a farmer at heart who loved his cattle and his land. He was also an avid reader.
Orpha was loving mother who dedicated her life helping others. She loved animals, nature and gardening. She was Sunday School teacher, Confirmation Teacher, a member of the United Church of Christ’s Women’s Guild, as well as a helping with the voter registration for three decades.
The couples unending love for each other was evident even in their last moments, as they held hands when they drew their last breaths, a moment that will be cherished by all.
Burdell and Orpha are survived by: their children: Patricia Sue and her husband, Jon; Janice Jean and her husband, Curtis; Brent Jay and his wife, Barbara; grandchildren: Meggan (Chris); Molly (Travis); Jon; Dakin (Mary); Greg (Brandee); Wade (fiancee Lisa); Hailey and Hannah; Orpha’s siblings:; Lester; Russ and his wife, Mary; Jennie; many other relatives and friends. They were preceded in death by: their parents; Orpha’s sisters: Lavina, Irene, and Marian; and Orpha’s brother, Lloyd.