James Keith Jensen Obituary in Ankeny at Memorial Services of Iowa

Obituary For James Keith Jensen

James K. Jensen, 102, died at Mill Pond senior living community on July 1, 2026.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Ankeny First United Methodist Church (206 SW Walnut St., Ankeny). A memorial service followed by a luncheon will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 10, 2026, at the same location.

Jim was born on the family farm near Plainview, Nebraska on September 8, 1923, to Howard and Helen (Palmer) Jensen. From an early age, he showed an interest in farm equipment and all things mechanical. He enrolled in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to study engineering after graduating from Plainview High School in 1940.

His collegiate education was interrupted with service in WWII as a U.S. Army officer in the 256th engineering battalion stationed in Europe. Upon returning to college, he met his future bride Marjorie Wilburn from Hendley, NE. Jim received his mechanical engineering degree in 1948. He and Marge were married in 1950 and they recently celebrated 76 years of marriage.

Before college graduation, Jim began a 37-year career with John Deere in Iowa. He spent 24 years at the Research & Engineering Center in Cedar Falls before moving to John Deere Des Moines Works in Ankeny where he became Chief Engineer. After retiring in 1984, he taught engineering classes at Iowa State University and worked for ISU as a technology transfer specialist. He consulted for inventors, was an expert witness in court cases, wrote a history of cotton harvesters, a CAD manual for gear design and his personal memoirs.

Jim was a talented woodworker building eight grandfather clocks for each of his eight grandchildren. He was an enthusiastic Cornhuskers fan and a faithful volunteer at church, Ankeny Lions Club and community endeavors. Jim and Marge traveled to all seven continents and never met a stranger along the way. However, Jim was happiest when he was with his family.

Jim is survived by his wife, Marge; his four children and their spouses, Ron (Judy Ostendorff) Jensen, Connie (Bill) Funk, Karla (Virgil) Gulley, Anne (Brad) Williams; his eight grandchildren, Drew Gulley, Sam (Olivia) Jensen, Natalie (John) Nannas, David (Chanita) Jensen, James (Bailey) Gulley, Danny (Chelsea) Funk, Matt (Sammy) Williams, Jenny (Bobby Miller) Williams; and his thirteen great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Virginia Jensen, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Jim in death were his parents; brother, Warren; and sister, Ruth and her husband, Niels Wodder.

In lieu of flowers, the family will be accepting donations for the Ankeny Lions Club.

Full obituary pending.

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