Carole D. Jensen, 84 years, of Cedar Falls and Ames, Iowa, died peacefully on May 2, 2023 with her beloved husband of sixty three years, Harold M. Jensen, at her side.
A Remembrance gathering will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, May 6 at Grandon Funeral Home, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa. Memorial Service at 2:00 PM. Internment will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date.
Carole Diane Braden Jensen was born on January 6, 1939, in Independence, Iowa. She was the daughter of Kenneth and Alta Braden, and the loving older sister of Robert Coe Braden. She grew up on a farm in Winthrop, Iowa where she was an active member of the school and the community. She was related to so many of the other people in the town and the countryside that she always said that one had to be cautious of what they said about each other because it was probably a cousin of hers.
Carole earned her teaching degree and certificate from Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) in 1958 and taught in Manchester, Iowa for two years. During the summer of 1958 she met her true love, Harold Marius Jensen, at the Old Settlers Days in Maxwell, Iowa. At the time they danced together he told her that "this was much easier than pushing a wheelbarrow," so she wasn't exactly sure if she should be flattered or not, but he sent a postcard to her from Denmark a few weeks later and decided he was someone special.
Harold and Carole married on June 5, 1960, at the First Congressional Church in Winthrop, Iowa. The two of them had three children, Dean, Diane, and Daniel. She was the loving mother-in-law to Julie and Kim. She was the grandmother of Christopher/Selene, Kathleen, Brittany, Alyssa, Kayla, Maya, and Dayton. She was the great grandmother of Orrin, Oliver, Brooks, Camden, and soon to be two more.
They lived in various towns and cities, but spent most years in Cedar Falls, Iowa and Ames, Iowa where they made many wonderful friends and served their communities in multiple ways. Carole was a very caring, loving and civic minded friend and family member. She was always quietly making sure that everyone felt supported, and that if there was a job that needed to be done, it was done. She was involved in many organizations including Boy and Girl Scouts, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, camping with the Scouts and volunteering at the school for her children. She continued being involved in the community running historical sites like the Little Red School House in Cedar Falls and Hoggatt School in Ames. She was a Poll Worker and volunteered for the Story County Emergency Management coordinating and teaching volunteers for emergency disasters such as the occasional floods. She was a member of Altrusa and PEO which involved service projects for the community. She was a woman whose life made a large and loving impact on those who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her husband, children Dean (Julie), Diane, and Daniel (Kim), 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and brother Robert Braden (Virginia).
I am just now seeing this and am so sorry I missed knowing about this earlier. Carole was a gem! I had the privilege of knowing her as one of RSVP's "STAR" volunteers and just an exceptional lady. I know she is greatly missed! Harold I know you know more than anyone how special she was. My deepest sympathies to you and your family! Kalen Petersen
I met Carole when she became involved with the Ames Historical Society as a Board member and our one-room-schoolhouse volunteer. She was smart, effective and a hard worker, bringing her wonderful life experiences to the tasks at hand. She really set a high standard and we learned so much from her! Thank you Carole!
Carole Jensen was my junior girl scout leader and she was a wonderful troop leader. My sympathies and prayers to her family. Barbara Bushby (Ward)
Our sympathies and prayers for Carole and all the family.
Carter and Colleen Kerk
My sincerest sympathies for Carole’s family. She was truly a very special person. I knew Carole in Cedar Falls as a Girl Scout leader and mentor. As time progressed my oldest daughter continued her interest in Scouts and became a member of Carole’s Senior Troop. I loved watching her with the girls, she was a shining example of how to live a life of love and sharing. Thank you for the wonderful memories.
We were sadden to see this in the paper this morning. Carol will always be remembered by all the young girls that she mentored through all the years that she worked with Girl Scouts. She also mentored so many of us leaders. Those were such fun years. My daughters certainly remember those fun days. One of my daughters worked with a troop when they lived in NY. She wanted her 3 girls
to also experience what it was like to be a Girl Scout. I remember all the boxes of cookies she had
sitting in her dinning room when we visited one time. It reminded me of our garage that was full
of cookies one year when we lived on East Seerley...Such nice memories of the Valley Park neighborhood ... We send our prayers to all of you... Your wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, was a special lady... May she rest in peace... Sherrie and Dean Dreyer, Kristen and Kaylen
I was so shocked and saddened to read this news this morning! My heart goes out to each of you who are left behind. Carole was a special friend to me and my family through many years. I wish I could be with you to hug you as we would remember the good times we have had together…too many to write about here. My sympathy and prayers to each of you dear friends as you face the days ahead. Look to Jesus to give you His peace and comfort!
So sorry for your loss, Harold. My deepest sympathy for yoy and your family🙏🏻
I am so very sorry to hear this....Carole was so special! I have a granddaughters first birthday out of town, so I will not be able to attend. Prayers for Harold and all of your families....
Lori Morrissey
I am so sorry to learn of Carole's passing. I knew her through PEO and she was such a kind and caring person. She will be greatly missed. My thoughts, prayers and sympathy go to all her family.
Carole's family,
My heartfelt sympathies to you all on the loss of your mom, grandmom, etc.
Since there are no details shown above, I'm guessing these details.
I met Carole at the Hoggett school on Meeker school ground.
I ended up being 1 of the many folks hosting the open house for 2 hrs. every weekend for 2-3 years.
Carole was so pleasant to talk to; never knew a stranger.
RIP Carole.
Betty Gordon, Ames, living 1 block from the school ground
Visitation
Ames, IA 50010
Service
Ames, IA 50010
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