Lee R. Jensen

Lee R. Jensen, passed away peacefully at his home on January 18, 2023.  

Lee was born to Oscar and Josephine Rueckert Jensen on March 21, 1931 on the Shippey Farm at Oran, Iowa.  Lee was the 8th of 16 children born to Oscar and Josie.

He graduated from Winthrop High School, Winthrop, Iowa in 1948.  Following High School, Lee and his brothers formed their own basketball team.  The Jensen boys played local town teams for a few years.

In 1951, Lee and his high school sweetheart, Phyllis M. Smith, married at Winthrop Methodist Church, Winthrop, Iowa.  Lee was drafted into the Army in February 1952.  He served in the Korean War from 1952-1954.  Lee was an Atomic Veteran having participated in the Atomic tests at Camp Desert Rock, Nevada.  After the Army, Lee and Phyllis setup house in Hyattsville, Maryalnd, later building their current home in Mitchellville.  Lee and Phyllis welcomed three children; Les, Jan and Nancy.  Lee and Les opened their business, L. Lee Jensen Brake Service, on New York Avenue in Washington, D.C. in 1983.  Lee retired in May 2006.  Lee spent a life-time enjoying skeet-shooting, pheasant hunting on his farm in Iowa, traveling, family vacations and spending time with his brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren.  

Lee is survived by his wife of 71 years, Phyllis Jensen; his children, Les (Barbara) Jensen, Jan (Greg) Butler, and Nancy (Chris) Thomas; his grandchildren, Amanda (Stephen) Jensen, Zachary (Leah) Butler, Michelle Thomas, Alison Jensen, Jacob Butler and Max Thomas; great-grandchildren, Landry Butler and Milo Butler; siblings, Ken (Norma) Jensen, Jim Jensen, Jane Meyer and Kay Schwarz.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.