Jensen, Thomas Peter Chris

Thomas Peter Chris Jensen, 99, died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, at the Lutheran Home for the Aged in Vinton. Services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at Goettsch Funeral Home in Anamosa. The Rev. Bill Nielsen will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Anamosa.

Tom leaves behind his children, Don (Velma) of Olin, Rex of Anamosa, Jerry (Jeannie) of Anamosa and Christine (Chris) Elliott of Vinton; a daughter-in-law, Jane of Olin; a sister, Anna Sauer of Olin; 15 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Helen; two children, Thomas and Terrance; three brothers, Jens, Bruno and Fred; and an infant sister, Emma.

Tom was born July 9, 1912, in Wyoming, Iowa, the son of Thomas and Kjesten Jensen. On May 11, 1938, Tom and Helen Patricia Edwards were united in marriage at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Tom worked as a farm hand in his earlier years before starting his own trucking company, hauling grain and corn. In the late 1940s, he bought his own farm, raising pigs, cattle and growing corn throughout his life. In the early 1950s, he owned and operated the Jensen Sand & Gravel Co. with his brother, Bruno. By the mid-50s, they had added cement to the business, which to this day is family-owned and known as Jensen Ready Mix.

Tom enjoyed fishing, gardening, bird-watching, and visiting the casinos. The thing he treasured most was the time he was given to spend with his family and loved ones.

He will be missed dearly by those closest to him.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

Published Feb. 19, 2012 in The Gazette