Rita Jensen

Rita Jensen, age 81, of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, died Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at her home.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 2-5 p.m. at Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley.

Following visitation there will be a gathering of family and friends for a celebration of her life at the Spillway Bar in Spring Valley. Food and refreshments will be available.

Rita was born December 19, 1941, in Cady Township, St. Croix County, Wisconsin to H. Marvin and Bertha (Donely) Strom. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Spring Valley. Rita attended Gilman Center School from first grade through eighth grade. She attended Spring Valley High School and graduated with the Class of 1959.

On June 11, 1960, Rita married Wayne Jensen at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley. They were blessed with four children: Vicki, Rodney, Jeffrey and Stacey.  They farmed from 1960 until 1983, then moved to Spring Valley. They retired back to the farm in 2003.  Wayne passed away a few years later in 2007.

Rita worked at numerous Spring Valley Businesses including: Traynor’s Café, Miller Café, Geiger’s Grocery Store, Bill’s Bar, Cork and Bottle, Sneakers, Spring Valley Bakery, and Spring Valley Drug. She also worked at Indian Head Restaurant in Wilson, served on the Spring Lake Board of Education and was secretary of her bowling league for over 25 years. Rita loved being active, riding motorcycle, snowmobiling, and 4-wheeling. She enjoyed traveling and RV’ing around the U.S. and visiting her kids. When she was at home, she took care of her birds,  her flower gardens, and her cat.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne, her parents, and her sisters Betty McKahan and Marvel Larsen.

Survived by her children: Vicki (Kirk) Birkman, Rodney (Hector Guevara) Jensen, Jeffrey Jensen, and Stacey Schaaf; her grandchildren: Ashley (Joe) Barr, Kayla Birkman, Nickolas Jensen, Jordan Jensen, and Sawyer Schaaf; her great granddaughter Madison Barr; sister Francis Ruka; sister-in-law Sharon Foote; and many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family.

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