RAPID CITY – Linda Carol Jensen, 79, passed away peacefully in her home in Rapid City, South Dakota on December 28, 2024 after hosting and enjoying a wonderful Christmas with her family.
Linda was born in Alliance, Nebraska on November 5, 1945. She and Arnie Jensen enjoyed 54 years of marriage prior to his passing on May 3, 2020. Along with her husband, Linda worked the family farm for over 40 years while raising seven children and numerous foster children. Always a hard worker, Linda helped manage the potato farm, green house and potato lab, assisted in running a KOA campground, created and directed a successful catering business, and managed several commercial kitchens in Nebraska, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. Linda’s love for feeding her family and large crowds overflowed into her volunteer positions at the First Wesleyan Church and the Canyon Lake Activity Center.
One of Linda’s dreams was to fill an entire church pew (and she succeeded) with her family who include: Theron (Shari) Jensen of Littleton, CO, Peter (Jill) Jensen of Rapid City, SD, Stacia (Mike) Daniel of San Antonio, TX, Christa (Chuck) Marx of Otsego, MN, Chelsie (Jason) Huseman of College Station, TX, Brandon (Crystal) Jensen of Minot, ND, and Adam Jensen of Eugene, OR. She was the proud grandma of 13 grandchildren including Christian, Lauren and Madison Jensen, Hayden and Amelia Jensen, Ashleigh Daniel, Weston and Mason Marx, Caleb and Easton Huseman, Trena Ackerman, Kasey Jensen and Keyonna Belstead and two great grandchildren: Liam and Jacob. Although dispersed far and wide around the US, you could almost always find her chatting with one of her children, in-laws, sisters, grandchildren or friends.
Linda lived a full and joyful life of serving others through cooking, and quilting; always ready with another meal or project to deliver to her family, friends, and even strangers. She also enjoyed quiet times in her garden or by the fireplace with her beloved puppies. Recently retired, her hobbies including coffee gatherings with friends, reading, puzzles, exercising, and playing pinochle. She loved trying something new such as going to the symphony, cooking with an air fryer, and learning to make cards. Her faithfulness to her personal savior Jesus remained throughout her life and her family looks forward to seeing her again.
Funeral services were on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at First Wesleyan Church, 3040 Marlin Dr. in Rapid City.
Her online guestbook is available at www.osheimschmidt.com