In Memory of Vivian Margene Jensen

Vivian Margene Jensen, age 97, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at the Morningside Care Center of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Private Family Graveside Service will be held in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa with Rev. Ken Miller officiating.  

 The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Vivian Margene (Spahn) Jensen was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on April 30, 2022 at the age of 97.

Vivian was born on October 30, 1924 in Arthur, Iowa, the only child of Louis and Gertrude Spahn.  She was baptized as an infant and confirmed at age 14.  She met her future husband, Herman Jensen, in Confirmation classes and Walther League.  In high school, Vivian played the violin and participated in girls’ basketball.

Herman had a week-long Easter leave from the Navy in 1944.  The couple were married by Rev. Henry Schwenk, Herman’s grandfather, on Maundy Thursday, April 6.  On Easter Sunday, Herman had to return to service in World War II.  Vivian remained at home and later took a bus to be with him in California where she worked as a nanny.

Vivian was a Christian woman and a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove all her adult life.  Her faith in the Lord was very evident.  She and Herman were blessed with four children, Barbara White, Beverly Jensen, Patricia (Alan) Siebrecht, and David Jensen.  They enjoyed 58 years of marriage before Herman’s passing on November 30, 2002.

Vivian was a genealogist who meticulously documented all sides of their families back into the mid-1800s.  She was fortunate to travel to Germany many times to do her research and meet people with family connections and, through these, many more photographs and stories were added.   She enjoyed the friendships of her bridge clubs and the relationships she had with women in her church circles.  Vivian had worked at the Ration Board and later enjoyed gardening, being on the Library Board, and helping in the church office. 

In addition to her four children, Vivian is survived by her grandchildren Jeff Martin, Heather Godley, Grant Siebrecht, Courtney Lennon, Kristy Siebrecht and nine great-children.  With Vivian’s passing she will be joining her husband Herman, her parents Louis and Gertrude Spahn, her parents-in-law Martha and Andrew Petersen, and Ransom and Evelyn Leonard, Roland and Virginia Jensen and Robert and Shirley Ruser.

The Lutheran Hour is Vivian’s choice for memorials.