Mary Lou Smith Jensen, 90, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2026.
Mary was born on July 6, 1936, in Iowa City, to James W. and Mary Jane Smith. She attended Newport Township School #3 adjacent to her family farm and University High School (Class of 1954) in Iowa City.
A true rural girl, Mary loved tending livestock and working alongside her father in the fields, where she learned to drive trac-tors and farm trucks at a young age. Those early formative years instilled in her a lifelong work ethic, resilience, and discipline.
On Aug. 20, 1953, she married Kenneth C. Jensen in Iowa City. She devoted her life to raising their 10 children with unwavering commitment. In her later years, she enjoyed Sunday countryside drives with her daughter Laura, reading periodicals, corresponding with family and friends, and cheering on her beloved Chicago Cubs and Chicago Blackhawks.
She is survived by her children: Mary Cahill of Williamsburg; Ben (Julie) Jen-sen of Macomb, Oklahoma; Margaret Jensen of West Liberty; Alice Taylor of Montezuma; Joseph (Shirley) Jensen of Hiawatha; George (Cindy) Jensen of Marengo; Laura (Christian) Elliott of North English; and Freda (Mike) Powers of Williamsburg; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and her brothers, James H. (Carolyn) Smith and William L. (Cindy) Smith of Iowa City.
She was preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Kenny Jensen; her son, Kenneth Jensen Jr.; daughter, Johanna Marie Jensen; sisters, Joann Leinbaugh and Juanita Ricci; daughter-in-law, Stacie Jensen; son-in-law, Bill Taylor; and granddaughter, Justine Omar.
Per Mary's wishes, no services will be held. Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty is caring for Mary and her family.
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