Obituary of Eleanor Jane Jensen

Eleanor Jane "Ellie" Jensen - Blythewood - A memorial service for Eleanor J. Jensen, 91 of Blythewood will be held at 1 PM, Saturday, July 25, 2015 at Transfiguration Catholic Church, 306 North Pines Road, Blythewood, SC 29016. Father Joseph Rayappan will officiate. The family will greet friends 1 hour prior to the service in the church narthex. Interment in Woodridge Memorial Park will be held at a later date. Woodridge Funeral Home of Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements. Ellie passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at Pruitt Healthcare in Columbia. Born in Brookings, South Dakota, she was a daughter of the late Edward and Gertrude Kurtz. She proudly served her country as a "WAVE" in the U.S. Navy as a Pharmacy Assistant, and later, was a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in South Dakota. She met her husband, Russel Jensen, while in college at South Dakota State University, and they were married in Farmingdale, South Dakota. They raised a large and loving family who will miss her spirit and great love. She is survived by her son, Tom Jensen of Bismark, ND; daughters, Debra Strike (David) of St. Paul MN, Jana Muneta (Ben) of Albuquerque, NM, Karen Taillon (Michael) of Blythewood, SC, Dee Culbertson (Bruce) of Simpsonville, SC; grandchildren, Matt, Bonny, Theresa, Corey, Jeffrey, Melanie, Kez, Joe (Melissa) Strike; great-grandchildren, McKenna, Ashton, Maya, Ellie, Ethan and Audrey Eleanor; brother, Clint Kurtz (Dee) of LeMoore, CA; sisters, Dorothy Lees (Bob) of Brookings, SD, Barb Johnson (Ansel) of Soldatna, AK, Kay Borst of Enumclaw, WA. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 40 years, Russel Jensen; son, Alan Jensen; brother, Dan Kurtz; sister, Marge Gerberding. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ocean Isle Sea Turtle Rescue at oibcturtleorg@atmc.net.