Jonette "Jo" Jensen

A Memorial Service for Jonette "Jo" Jensen will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, Nebraska with Pastor Daren Popple officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege, Nebraska.

The memorial service will be live streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Homes Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622

Jonette "Jo" Jensen, 80 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away after a brief hospitalization, on February 26, 2022, at the CHI Health, St. Elizabeth in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Jo was born in Gothenburg, Nebraska on October 25, 1941, the first of two children to Marcus and Doris (Miller) Ostendorf. Jo was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church and confirmed at the American Lutheran Church, both in Gothenburg. She received her education from Gothenburg Public Schools. While in high school, she worked for Meyers Drug Store, and was active in the band and Pep Club. Jo was a true Gothenburg Swede.

Larry Jensen proposed to Jo and they had a wedding two weeks later, on June 12, 1960, at the American Lutheran Church in Gothenburg. The couple made their first home in Lincoln and to this union three children were born: Connie Jo, Veronica Lynn and Deann Kay. The family made their home in Holdrege, where they raised their girls. Jo sold Stanley Home Products and also worked at Becton Dickinson until her retirement.

Jo loved her family more than anything.  She took pride in her family; she enjoyed sharing about each of them and caring for everyone. She carefully kept the family history and pictures for both their close and extended families. Grandma Jo loved her grandchildren with all her heart. Her home was set up especially for them and the song "Jesus Loves Me" was chosen for the service because the children will be able to sing along. Grandma always did everything with others in mind.

Her garden was shared with many, as she had "cucumbers coming out of her ears". She was an avid sports fan, and especially loved watching her grandchildren play.

Jo is preceded in death by her parents, Marcus and Doris Ostendorf; her brother, Richard (Dick) Ostendorf; mother-in-law, Phyllis Steinke; father-in-law, Conrad Jensen; step-father-in-law, Charles Steinke; and brother-in-law, Darolin "Derry" Jensen.

She leaves to mourn her passing; her husband, Larry O. Jensen of Holdrege; three children: Connie Swanson and her husband, Greg of Holdrege; Veronica Rathman and her husband, Grant of Lincoln; Deann Jensen of Papillion; 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren: Drew and Jessica Swanson, Coy, Claire and Slade; Chris and Paige Swanson, Warren and Easton; Chance Swanson and Sara Hill, Lennon, Hayes and Collins; Brock Rathman; Clay Rathman; Jalen Seymour; Mariah Seymour; as well as many treasured nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation or memorial book signing, the family is honoring her wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Jo's honor, and kindly suggested to Fridhem Lutheran Church, or Metavivor, who does research for stage four breast cancer https://donate.metavivor.org/give/318818/#!/donation/checkout

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.