Virginia Marilyn Jensen of Rochester passed away at home Tuesday, October 12th, 2021 after a well lived 93 years.

Virginia was born December 6th, 1927 in Dodge County to Donald and Leona (Siewert) Gray. She attended rural Othello Grade School and graduated from Byron High school in 1945. On August 19th, 1952 she married Ellis Jensen at St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church in Rochester bringing his daughter Nancy into her life. Together they had four children, Debra, John, Gregg and Jerry.  Ellis died January 11th, 1975. She married longtime friend James "Jim" Nielson November 9th, 1985 bringing Larry, Marie, Judy, Kay, Sue and Ed into her life. Jim died December 28th, 2002.

Virginia worked at George Leiferman Realty & Insurance Company, Rochester Dairy, and retired from Mayo Clinic in 1990 after 15 years. She was a longtime member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester, a Charter Member of the Eagles Auxiliary, volunteered 42 years at the Eagles Cancer Telethon doing everything over the years from making sandwiches to running all the numbers. Family was always the center of her world and she spent many days and nights on the sidelines, in gymnasiums, at the rink, and at the track watching her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids take part in their sporting events.  She was a dedicated Lourdes Eagles fan through the years but always cheered for her special Byron Bears and Kasson Komets too. She had a love of Bald Eagles, and collected them on her many travels that took her to 48 of the 50 states. Mexico, Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, Yugoslavia, and Jamaica were among the countries she enjoyed visiting.  For twelve years she and Jim wintered in their RV in the south.  Virginia also spent time knitting, baking, camping, playing cards, and watching game shows. She was usually the first to wish anyone a happy birthday or anniversary on Facebook too.

She was preceded in death by her husbands Ellis and Jim, newborn son Gregg, parents Donald and Leona, brother Eugene and many beloved aunts and uncles.  She is survived by her children Nancy (Gary) Goodenough, Deb (Gene Sheely) Ward, John (Barb) Jensen, Jerry (Kim) Jensen, Larry (Nancy) Nielson, Marie Denker, Judy Helgerson, Kay (Mark) Wendle, Sue (Ed) Gesser and Ed (Theresa) Nielson; 24 Grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. The family wishes to thank the staff of Mayo Hospice for the amazing care over the last 4 plus years. She took honor in knowing each and every one of those who came into her home and enjoyed getting to know each of you.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 21, 2021 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home beginning with the Rosary at 4:00pm with visitation to follow until 7:30pm.  Her Funeral Mass will be Friday, October 22, 2021 at 10:30am at St. Pius X Catholic Church with Father Russell Scepaniak officiating. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the Mass at St. Pius X Catholic Church.  Burial will be in the Byron Cemetery. Celebration of Life to follow at the Rochester Eagles Club.

The family suggests memorials to Rochester Lourdes Foundation Virginia Jensen Scholarship and Mayo Hospice.

Online condolences for Virginia are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com