Betty Ann Jensen, 91, passed away peacefully at Comforts of Home in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, on Dec. 18, 2022, surrounded by family.
Betty was born on Feb. 7, 1932, at home, to Martin Edward and Augusta Catherine (Raitz) O’Donnell. She lived in the Frederic area with her 10 siblings. She graduated from Frederic High School in 1950. While attending the Polk County Normal School in St. Croix Falls to get her teacher’s license, she met her husband, Sherman Jensen. They were married Aug. 23, 1952. She taught school for one year at Manitou Lake School. She then stayed home to help with the farm and raise their four children, Steven, Arlene, Douglas and David. After selling the cattle and renting out the farm, Sherman and Betty owned and operated Eureka Center Antiques from 1972-1988. Betty and Sherman then went to clockmaker school and they repaired many clocks until 2011.
Betty had a love and extensive knowledge of local history. She was a member of several local historical societies. She loved working at the Little Red School House at the Polk County Fair. She was named Polk County’s History Woman of the Year in 2012 by the Polk County Historical Society.
Betty was a member of Eureka Baptist Church. She was a past treasurer, sang in the choir and taught AWANA.
She loved to quilt, make sock monkeys and play cards.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters; five brothers; husband, Sherman; and grandson, Sherman Scott.
She is survived by her children, Steven (Jeanne) of St. Croix Falls, Arlene (Randolph) Scott of Clarksville, Tennessee, Douglas (Pamela) of Colfax, Wisconsin, and David (Nancy) of Centuria, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Travis (Audrey) Jensen of Wausau, Wisconsin, Tara (Jared) Rothe of Almelund, Minnesota, Randi (James) Carr of Columbus, Ohio, Jeffrey (Jennifer) Jensen of Watford City, North Dakota, Jesse (Rebecca) Gross of Centuria and Frank (Angela) Behning of St. Croix Falls; great-granchildren, Autumn and Jaymie Carr, Carter and Kenzey Rothe, Cade and Maren Jensen, Evan and Lily Jensen, Julyann Linc and Richard Gross, and Ethan and Natalie Behning; siblings, Dorothy Norton and Martin Edward O’Donnell Jr.; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
The family would like to thank Comforts of Home and Adoray Hospice for attending to Betty’s care and reaching out in friendship and concern during her final days.
Those wishing to make a donation may do so to Eureka Baptist Church or the cause of your choice.
A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 17, at Eureka Baptist Church with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with the Grandstrand Funeral Home, Osceola, Wisconsin. Condolences may be expressed online at grandstrandfh.com.
