Gloria "Jean" Jensen

Gloria “Jean” Jensen, age 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday March 18, 2023, at Galeon Senior Living in the company of loved ones. Jean was born on August 21, 1930, to Violet (Sorenson) Covey and Adrian W. Covey in North Dakota. Soon after this, her family moved to Wisconsin. When Jean was in high school, she met the man who would become the love of her life, Donald Jensen. In the fall of 1954, they were united in marriage, which marked the beginning of their long happy life together. Over the next few years, their family began to grow and they quickly became a family of six. In 1965, they packed up their family and found their way to what would become their hometown of Osakis, Minnesota.

Early on in Jean’s life, events took hold that would directly impact the woman she would become. When Jean was only 8 years old, her mother was tragically killed in a train accident. Being the oldest and the only girl in the family, Jean took on the role of mother and housekeeper at a very young age, which many would say gave her the fiery spirit she developed in her later years. Jean was often described as a strong willed woman. Many who knew her would say that she liked things to be done the right way, which is the way she wanted them. Jean’s role of head of the household continued on in her marriage. Anyone who knew her knew that she was considered “the boss” and that this did not bother Don one bit. One of her favorite spots to be was at the kitchen table where she held many conversations with family and friends and where she could look out the large picture window to her garden.

 In 1977, Jean and Don bought a greenhouse in Osakis where Jean greatly enjoyed working with plants and flowers, and her customers. During this time, Jean provided flowers throughout their community for a number of occasions. After about 15 years, they sold the greenhouse but Jean’s love for flowers continued on through her own garden at home.

In her later years, Jean spent a majority of her time following world news and events, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends. She volunteered at her local school as a librarian helping children check out books. She also enjoyed being a member of the Red Hats Society, with whom she attended dinners and plays in her spare time.

Family was an important element of Jean’s life. She looked forward to having her children and grandchildren come and spend time with her. Jean and Don liked having the grandchildren camp in the backyard with their pop-up camper. She also enjoyed making ice cream cones for the grandchildren after supper, which the grandchildren enjoyed as well.

Above all else, Jean was melodious. She was a dedicated Christian with a love for music. Jean was a proud member of the Osakis Lutheran Church community, where she was a devoted singer in the church choir for many years. She sang at many services and special occasions over those years. She also provided flowers, gardened, and was a member of the Church and Society group which supported the church and its members in many ways.

Jean is survived by her husband Donald; her four children, Robin (Dan) Dylla, Leslie (Dallas Sr) Womack, Mark (Leah) Jensen, and Diane (Marlin) Fay; her 11 grandchildren, Heather Dylla, Evan (Annsley) Dylla, Nina (James) Ryan, Stephanie Womack, Charles (Kendi) Womack, Tim (Rochelle) Fay, Cassie Hinrichs, Zach (Danielle) Fay, Abbie (Jordan) Hoyle, Alec (Sarah) Jensen, and Carly (Zach) Richter; and her 21 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Violet and Adrian; two brothers, William Covey and Glen Covey; and grandchild Dallas Womack Jr.

A Funeral Service will be held 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the Osakis Lutheran Church in Osakis.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.