Christian Biography of Kathryn Jo Jenssen

Kathryn Jo Jenssen, only child of Nels and Elsie (Anderson) Jenssen, was born at the home where she lived all her life in on March 16, 1918 in Ruskin, Nebraska. She passed away on January 4, 2013 at Parkview Haven Nursing Home, Deshler, Nebraska at the age of 94 years, 9 months, 19 days.

She was baptized by Pastor Purde at the Presbyterian Church in Ruskin on June 16, 1918 and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church on June 18, 1933 by Pastor Carl Neilsen. She graduated from Ruskin High School on May 17, 1935, and attended Hebron College graduating in 1937. She attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 1937 graduating in June of 1939 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and attended summer school for 2 years at the University to renew her teaching certificate. She taught at Ruskin High School from 1941 to 1946 teaching English Literature and American Literature at Hebron High School from 1946 to 1949 and substituted at Ruskin High School in the 1960's and 1970's. She returned home in 1950 to help care for her mother who was ill. After her mother's death, she stayed at home with her father helping him with his real estate and insurance business.

In 1965 she started working as the Bethany Lutheran Church Secretary and continued in this position working with seven pastors until her retirement in 1998 for a total of 33 years. During her lifetime she made two trips to Denmark, she taught Sunday School and was active in the Women of the Church. Kathryn was a great cook and enjoyed entertaining neighbors with coffee and cookies along with many children who always knew she had candy to hand out. She loved to raise and grow African Violets.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a dear cousin Euvalene Swanstrom and her son Gary.

She is survived by Cousins Sandra Swanstrom Hopkins and family of Leawood, Missouri and Anne Swanstrom McCoy of Naperville, Illinois. Cousins in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and Denmark, along with her close friends, the Cap and Mary Lou Renz family of Ruskin, and a host of friends.


Funeral services were held on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 2:00 PM from the Bethany Lutheran Church in Ruskin, Nebraska with Rev. Evelyn Phillips officiating.

Congregational hymns "Amazing Grace," "Our Father Has Light In His Window," "I Know that My Redeemer Lives," and "Jesus Loves Me," with DeAnn Petersen as the organist.

Visitation was held on Sunday from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Pallbearers were Tim Renz, Dan Renz, Scott Renz, Gerald Simonsen, Howard Schultz and Roger Kastrup.

Interment was in the Spring Creek Cemetery at Ruskin, Nebraska.

Memorials are suggested to go to Bethany Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.