Janet Jensen

Janet Ann (Martens) Jensen passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025, at the Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, Iowa. She was born on September 11, 1937 in Carroll, Iowa to Viola (Ohde) and Gilbert Martens.

Janet’s early childhood was spent in the Manning area. Her family later moved to farms near Manilla. Janet graduated from Manilla Public School in 1955. After graduation, Janet worked at Bankers Life Insurance Company in Des Moines, Iowa, until September of 1956. She then married her high school sweetheart, Alan Jensen, who was in the Army. After Alan was discharged from military service, he and Janet moved to Alan’s family farm near Defiance. They had three daughters.

Janet loved the outdoors. She was an excellent gardener and cook, and she was the family photographer and scrapbooker. Janet enjoyed many years traveling with Alan in his capacity as a Shriner, when he served for 10 years on the line before becoming Potentate of the Abu Bekr Shrine in 1999. Janet was a member of the Daughters of the Nile, Sioux City/Hathor Temple No. 38.

Janet is survived by her children, Julie (Gary) Drees of Sloan, IA; Jill Jensen-Welch of Polk City, IA; and Jeana Jensen-Hogue (Tim Hogue) of Shenandoah, IA; grandchildren, Tim (Sarah) Welch, David Hogue, and JaCee Hogue (Tanner DenOuden); great grandchildren, Isla Welch, Sophie Welch, and River DenOuden; and siblings, James (JoAnn) Martens of Manning, IA; and Judy Odom of Alvin, TX.

Preceding Janet in death are her parents, Gilbert and Viola Martens; her parents-in-law, Sivert and Alice Jensen; her husband, Alan Jensen; a brother who died in infancy; her brothers-in-law, Robert Jensen and Jim Jensen; and her sister-in-law, Myra (Jim) Jensen.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa. A funeral service will follow at 10:30 am. Janet will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Harlan Cemetery immediately following the service. Family and friends are invited to gather for lunch at the CG Therkildsen Activity Center. Donations may be made in Janet’s memory to the Abu Bekr Transportation Fund, the Harlan Cemetery, Myrtue Medical Center Hospice, or Irwin Fire & Rescue.