Neva M. Jensen

Neva M. Jensen, 95 peacefully passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2014 surrounded by her family at Gundersen Health System following a brief illness.
Neva was born on May 2, 1919 in Marshfield, WI to Henry J. and Allie (Buchmiller) Kamps. She attended Marshfield schools, graduating in June 1937 and was a member of the National Honor Society. She continued her education at the Wausau Business College, receiving her degree in Business Administration and Finance. She was employed by the City of Marshfield, WI where she was Office Manager of the Municipal Electric and Water Department.
On July 8, 1951, Neva married Harold T. Jensen in Marshfield. They moved to La Crosse where they owned Klinkner and Jensen Family Shoe Store on Caledonia Street in North La Crosse. Neva worked side-by-side with her husband in the family business until they both retired on January 1, 1980. During their marriage, they were blessed with three children; Karen, Wayne and Ellen.
Neva was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in La Crosse where she served as a Deacon, taught Sunday school, was a member of the Ruth afternoon Circle, and served on other committees within the church. She was a member of the Franciscan-Skemp Auxiliary for many years working in the gift shop. She enjoyed her beautiful flower gardens, music, golfing, doing genealogy, traveling around the country with family and friends, collecting souvenir spoons and sea shells, and making all events and holidays special for her family. Most of all, she loved being with her family and working with her husband. They celebrated 60 years of marriage in July 2011, a week before Harold passed away.
She is survived by her three children; Karen (Ronald) Smith of La Crosse, Wayne Jensen of La Crosse and Ellen Jensen of West Salem. She is also survived by five grandchildren; Jaclyn (Justin) Stakston of La Crosse, Eric (Erica) Smith of Scottsdale, AZ, Brian Smith of La Crosse, Aaron (fiancee’ Alicia Hainzlsperger) Jensen of Stevens Point, WI and Garrett Jensen of Beaver, OR; two great-grandsons, Sawyer and Griffin Stakston, along with an expected great-grandchild, due in April 2015. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Neva was preceded in death by her husband Harold on July 15, 2011; her parents; and her three brothers, H. Gordon Kamps, A. Ronald Kamps and E. Norman Kamps.
Memorial services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Friday, January 2, 2015 in the Hope Chapel of the First Presbyterian Church, 233 West Ave. S. La Crosse with Rev. Dr. J. Taylor Haley officiating. Visitation will be prior to the services starting at 10:00 A.M. A private burial will be at a later date in the Garden of Peace Mausoleum, Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery, La Crosse. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church Music Fund.
To our Mom. You have been a wonderful role model to us and everyone you knew. Your gentle, gracious, witty, patient, and loving personality will be dearly missed. You have been a beautiful person inside and out. Love You Mom.