Mary Jo Jensen

Saturday, August 15 was both a difficult and beautiful day as we said goodbye to our Wife, our Mom, our Grandmom,--Mary Jo Jensen. It was a full day of family, stories, songs and prayer-all the things that mattered most. Mary Jo (Wilhite) Jensen, 86, was born in Emporia, Kansas on Flag Day, June 14, 1929. She was the daughter of Selma Reilly and Vernon Wilhite and grew up in Emporia, Kansas (and Billings, MT). She attended Emporia State University and graduated in 1951 with a B.S. in Commerce-majoring in Primary Education. While there, she was recognized as "Who's Who in American Colleges," belonged to the University Honorary Leadership Fraternity, Pi Omega Pi Honorary Business Fraternity and Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. She was also crowned Emporia State Homecoming Queen although she would not be happy that we included this little tidbit!Mary Jo went on to teach kindergarten at Prairie Grade School, Prairie Village, KS. After three years there, her adventurous spirit took her to Germany to manage Service Clubs for the Dept. of Army Civilians. Toward the end of this tenure, her long-time sweetheart, Philip B. Jensen, travelled to Germany to visit. There, they decided to marry and exchanged vows on October 11, 1955. They celebrated with two ceremonies-first, by the church in Vaihingen and then by the German government in Stuttgart. They surprised their parents with a telegram-- in GERMAN! -- to inform them of the news. They then set off on a memorable honeymoon through Europe before returning to the US aboard the Queen Elizabeth.Subsequent jobs included secretarial work for T Jensen & Sons and later as a Para-Professional in Special Education in the Shawnee Mission School District. Her vocation of love was with family, home and church.Mary Jo was a life-long member of The Catholic Church and specifically, St. Ann's in PV, KS since 1970. Through the years, she was involved in many ministries-too numerous to list! Her devotion to the church and her spiritual life were unmatched.Mary Jo and Phil have been married for 60 years and had 5 children: David Philip (deceased) Mary Reilly, T Philip, Anne Katherine and Marn Elizabeth. She leaves them and their spouses (Judy Meleliat, Lisa Jensen, Robb Edmonds) and her six grandchildren-Andrew, Rachel, Lucy, Sydney, David and Emma whom she loved with all her might. And that's only part of the story. The real story lies between the milestones-inside a life built around faith, family, traditions, creativity, charitable acts and love. Her kids and "grands" will hold onto those things allowing them to say goodbye with a full heart-and with confidence that she will enjoy the rewards of heaven.The Rosary (5:30pm) and Visitation (6:00-8:00) will be held Wednesday, August 19th at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 7231 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS. Funeral Mass will be Thursday, August 20 at 10:00am, St. Ann's Catholic Church with luncheon to follow. Graveside services and interment will be held 2:30 pm Thursday at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Emporia, KS. Charitable contributions may be made to: Benedictine Sisters (31970 State HWY P, Clyde, MO 64432), St. Benedict's Abbey (1020 N. 2nd St., Atchison, KS 66002) or St. Ann's Church (7231 Mission Road, PV Ks 66208).




SERVICES Rosary
Wednesday, August 19, 2015 5:30 PM
St. Ann's Catholic Church 7231 Mission Road Prairie Village, Kansas 66208
Visitation
Wednesday, August 19, 2015 6:00 PM
St. Ann's Catholic Church 7231 Mission Road Prairie Village, Kansas 66208
Mass of Christian Burial
Thursday, August 20, 2015 10:00 AM
St. Ann's Catholic Church 7231 Mission Road Prairie Village, Kansas 66208
Graveside Service
Thursday, August 20, 2015 2:30 PM
Sacred Heart Cemetery ,