Marguerite Jensen

Hastings resident, Marguerite E. Jensen, 97, passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, Nebraska.

Services will be Tuesday, October 24, 2017; 10:30 A.M. at All Saints Chapel-Good Samaritan Village, Hastings with Pastor Dale Phillips officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings. Memorials may be given to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date. Visitation will be Monday, October 23, 2017; 4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home, and one hour prior to service at the chapel.

Marguerite was a loving wife and mother who will be missed dearly by her daughters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters, relatives, friends, and countless others whom she has touched.

Marguerite attended Adams County School District #22 until eighth grade and graduated from Hastings High School in 1938. She attended Nebraska College of Commerce. Following college, Marguerite was employed at First National Bank in Hastings for five years, and later as bookkeeper at Hastings Seed & Supply Company for 19 years, retiring in 1982.

Marguerite was a W.W.II wife of the 1940's who let her military pilot husband take the limelight and be the outspoken part of the pair for the nearly 74 years of their marriage. She quietly served her country on the homefront, like other wives of the period, and then became the glue that held the family together and quietly did the hands-on caring for a special needs daughter. She selflessly put aside her own career and desires to devote herself to the well being of her special needs daughter, caring for her physical and educational requirements for 68 years, while also raising and caring for two younger daughters.

She was a great role model that her daughters and granddaughters strive to emulate. From her carefully manicured roses to playing games, crafts, camping, traveling in the RV, gardening, and even baking pies from her own fruit trees, the dedication to her family showed through her unending love and actions. She was caring, gentle, and kind and this was never more evident than the special attention she gave to birthdays and Christmas, or even just sitting with her family to watch Wheel of Fortune. In short, quality time was important to her. Hard worker, savvy, strong, teacher, supporter, and spunky are just a few words to describe her.

She and her spouse, Vergale, were long-time advocates of services for the special needs community and vigorously pursued the creation of Hope Training School in 1963, which has since dissolved as government services have taken its place. They were active participants in Hastings Respite Care and South Central Town Hall Caregivers Coalition. Marguerite enjoyed pinochle, craft club, and Bingo, and was a member of the YWCA and First St. Paul's Lutheran Church. She took great pride in her family and her family takes great pride in her.

Marguerite was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vergale Leslie Jensen; brother, Waldeen Eigenberg; granddaughter, Jenni Keith; and brother-in-law, Bill McDowell.

SURVIVORS:
Daughters:
Gail Jensen - Hastings, NE
Margie Ormsby - Ayr, NE
Patti Jensen - Grand Island, NE
Grandchildren & Spouses:
Michelle Songster - Scottsdale, AZ
Melissa (Songster) & Jason Aguilar - Grand Island, NE
Rachel Ormsby & Robert Wahl, Jr. - Ayr, NE
Sarah Ormsby - Chino Hills, CA
Great-Grandchildren:
Selena Aguilar
Brooklyn Aguilar
Thea Wahl
Sisters:
Lyla (Carl) Keith - Wichita, KS
Vernetta McDowell - Sidney, NE
Sister-in-law:
Gladys Eigenberg - Hastings, NE
Numerous Nieces & Nephews