Vivian Joan (Arthur) Jensen

VIVIAN JOAN (ARTHUR) JENSEN

Cedar Falls

Vivian Joan (Arthur) Jensen, 84, died peacefully at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa, on Aug. 5, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.

Joan was the only child of the late Lloyd and Opal Arthur of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Her last home was Cottage Grove Place in Cedar Rapids, but she always claimed Cedar Falls as her hometown.

Joan graduated from Cedar Falls High in 1950 and loved being a "Cedar Falls Tiger." Joan attended the University of Iowa and received a B.A. in 1953 from Iowa State Teachers College (UNI). After graduation, she helped Iowa children needing speech and hearing services.

While at UNI she met her future husband, Arno L Jensen. They were married Sept. 10, 1954, at Danforth Chapel in Iowa City, Iowa, where he was attending medical school. They were married for 55 years.

Joan and Arno were the proud parents of five children, Cinda Melloy (Tom) of St. Cloud, Minn., David Jensen (Jane) of Decorah, Iowa, Sue Knell of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sallie Buelow (Dave) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Eric Jensen (Deborah) of Scottsdale, Ariz. They have 22 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Joan was a devoted mother who sacrificed much for her children and grandchildren, seeing them as her greatest legacy. She taught them the value of giving back to the community by her examples of volunteerism. She was always a positive role model, even in her last years as she handled cancer with courage and grace.

Joan is survived by her children; sister-in-law, Freda Lovejoy of Cedar Falls, Iowa; niece, Karen Proffitt (Jim) of Marion, Iowa; and nephew, Scott (Karen) Lovejoy of Flower Mound, Texas. She leaves behind many friends, but of special importance is her dearest friend and companion, Bernie Rehnstrom of Cedar Rapids. Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Arno Jensen, MD; parents, Opal and Lloyd Arthur; mother-in-law, Davida Jensen; brother-in-law, Robert Lovejoy; and son-in-law, Jeff Knell.

Joan and her family would especially like to thank Dr. Deb Wilbur and her colleagues and staff at the Hall Perrine Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, the staff of Mercy Hospice and the Oldorf Hospice House for their outstanding care.

A reception in honor of Joan's life will be held in Sedlacek Hall at Cottage Grove Place, 2115 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa.