James Jensen

James Richard Jensen, 81, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 7, following a short  battle with cancer. He was a devout Christian since the age of 14, loved the Lord and was ready  to meet his Savior, Jesus.

Jim was born to Pete and Madelene Jensen on July 20, 1939 in New Paris, Indiana. In 1957, he  graduated from High School in Ida, Michigan. From there, he pursued his Bachelors Degree at  Huntington College in Indiana, where he met his sweet bride Jeanne Bealer.

In 1959, he married Jeanne. After Jim graduated with his B.S. in Chemistry in 1962, they  followed Jeanne’s desire to live close to the Great Lakes, and moved to Charlevoix, MI. They  enjoyed their little house on Palmer Street near the channel and Lake Michigan Beach where  they raised their three children, Marty, Sherry, and Dan. They devoted much of their time to  serving the church community. Jim also served as a Campus Life Ministries’ board member for  17 years. As a family, they loved to camp, snowmobile, and hike in the woods.

Jim was a dedicated science teacher at Charlevoix High School for 31 years. During his early  years of teaching, he obtained his Masters Degree from Central Michigan University in 1970. He  also worked hard to make ends meet by first working during the summers as a surveyor, and then  a drivers’ education instructor for many years. Towards the end of his career, his wife was  diagnosed with leukemia, and sadly passed in 1993.

Sometime after Jeanne’s death, Jim fell in love again and married Barb Rogers. The union added  three step-daughters to his family, Julia Schaberg, Victoria Koteskey, and Debbie Hernandez.  Together, Jim and Barb enjoyed serving on the Keryx Prison Ministries for many years. Jim had  a heart for this outreach, and faithfully stayed committed to it, even after he lost his wife, Barb  on Christmas Day of 2017.

Personally, Jim had a passion for aviation. This included flying model airplanes and obtaining his  pilot’s license to fly real planes. In his later years, he spent much time turning wood on a lathe,  making beautiful bowls and also created unique tables from shipwreck wood.

After some time alone, he felt blessed to meet Lyndel Vander Ark. They fell in love and were  married, just before he was tragically diagnosed with Cancer. Lyndel and her five children and  spouses graciously loved him through his illness. Lyndel was at Jim’s side when he passed.

Jim was preceded in death by Jeanne Jensen (wife), Barb Jensen (wife), Madelene Fredrick  (Mother), Pete Jensen (Father), Emerson Fredrick (Step-father), Robert Jensen (brother).

He is survived by his wife Lyndel Jensen, son Martin Jensen (Kim), daughter Sherry Jensen, son  Daniel Jensen (Cindy), brother Larry Jensen, step-sister Phyllis Strine, step-daughter Julia  Schaberg (Mark), step-daughter Victoria Koteskey (Dave), and step-daughter Debra Hernandez.  Grandchildren: Megan Dankert, Matt Dankert, Margaret Jensen, Gabrielle Jensen, Dylan Jensen,  Katelyn Motto (Jesse), Cassidy Jensen, Daniel J Jensen, Sophie Jensen, Kevin Schaberg, Shelly Schaberg, Rebekah Schaberg, Drew Seymour, Hope Hernandez, Faith Hernandez, Tony  Hernandez and Nicole Hernandez.

A funeral service will be held in Jim’s honor, Sunday, October 11 at 2:00pm at Center Point  Assembly Church in Charlevoix. The family will receive friends on Saturday October 10, from  6:00-8:00pm, and again on Sunday from 1:00pm until the time of service, all at the church.  Pastor Mike Way will officiate.  Jim’s funeral service will be live streamed on the Church’s Facebook Page.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Keryx Prison Ministry.  Please make checks payable to “Keryx Prison Ministry” and mail to Chippewa Area  Keryx, P.O Box 235, Central Lake, Michigan, 49622.

Arrangements are in the care of the Winchester Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com