Gloria Ann Jensen was born on July 8, 1931, in St. Ansgar, Iowa, the second daughter of Lawrence and Esther (Priem) Rosenberg. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar by Rev. Paul Brammer, and received her education in St. Ansgar schools. As an elementary student, she “played school” with her dolls and teddy bears and her dream was to someday be a teacher of young children. In St. Ansgar High School, she was active in band and chorus and thoroughly enjoyed being a cheerleader for football and basketball games. She graduated in the class of 1949. Following high school, she enrolled at Iowa State Teachers’ College (now UNI) to prepare for her chosen career of teaching. She received an elementary teaching certificate, and after teaching several years returned to college to receive her BA degree at UNI.
Gloria’s first teaching experience was as a kindergarten teacher in Northwood, Iowa, where she taught for five years. There she met Newlin Jensen, an accountant at Falk’s Plumbing and Heating. The friendship blossomed, and Newlin and Gloria were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, Iowa, on June 21, 1953, by Rev. Wolters. They moved to St. Ansgar in 1955 where Newlin was office manager and accountant for the Rural Electric Cooperative. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Susan, Gregory and Steven. Newlin and Gloria and their family enjoyed many camping trips close to home and also took camping trips throughout the United States. They enjoyed two family trips to Europe. Besides teaching in Northwood for five years, Gloria taught kindergarten in St. Ansgar for a year and a half “between babies.” She later taught kindergarten and then first grade in Osage, Iowa, for 30 years. She dearly loved teaching and the young students in her classes.
Gloria was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, Iowa. She was active in many church and community activities. She enjoyed being a member of Immanuel’s Friendship Club, Naomi Circle, Rachel Circle, I. C. Women’s Club, and American Legion Auxiliary. She loved playing bridge and 500 and having coffee with friends. Newlin and Gloria enjoyed attending their children’s school activities. When their children had graduated, they still enjoyed attending many music and sports events at St. Ansgar High School. She firmly believed that a small community is a good place to live and to raise a family.
After 62 years of marriage, Newlin passed away on July 3, 2015. Gloria later sold her home in St Ansgar, Iowa and spent several years in nearby communities allowing her to be closer to family. She was pleased to have returned to St Ansgar for the final months of her life. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Esther Rosenberg; mother and father-in-law, Theodore and Elnora Jensen; brother-in-law, Jerrold Eide; sisters-in-law, Maxine (Roger) Dodge, Doris (Herbert) Kennedy, Ilah (Burnell) Groe, and Yvonne Perkins.
Gloria is survived by her children, Sue (Mike) Urbatsch, Greg (Donna) Jensen, and Steve (Marla) Jensen; her grandchildren, Jake (Anneke) Urbatsch, Luke (Rachel) Urbatsch, Erika (Ryan) Hansen, Grady (Erin) Jensen, Henry Jensen, and Charlie Jensen; and great grandchildren, Ivy, Olivia and Emmet Urbatsch, Izzy Urbatsch, and Harper Hansen. Also surviving are her sister, Shirley Eide and sister-in-law, Sonia Ugland, as well as many other extended family members and friends.
Special thanks to Pastor Mark Squire, Dr. Kelly Ross, the staff at MCRHC, and her caregivers at Good Samaritan Society of St. Ansgar.
Most important to Gloria were her Christian faith and her loving family. Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, Iowa.
Blessed be Gloria’s memory.
schroederfuneralhomes.com/
