The Life of HARRY C JENSEN
Harry C. Jensen, 87, passed away August 31, 2005 at Bickford Cottage in West Des Moines. Harry was born on October 30, 1917 in Racine, Wisconsin. In 1938, he enrolled as a student at Grand View College, which was to become his passion and life-long work, and later earned his degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota. After serving as a Master Sergent in the Army in Europe during World War II, Harry joined the administration of Grand View as chief business officer, a position he held until his retirement in 1987.
Harry and his beloved wife, Ellen, came to be known as "Mr. Grand View" and "Grand View's First Lady." Upon Harry's retirement, Ellen observed, "It's been a great life for us. Harry always loved what he did. Grand View was his life." During his tenure at the college, Harry was instrumental in its growth from a two-year institution to the thriving baccalaureate college of today, as he spearheaded both the physical expansion of the campus - raising funds and supervising construction of at least eight buildings - and ensuring its financial growth and stability. Yet Harry treasured most the close relationships he had with students and faculty. Upon Ellen's death in 2000, he established the Ellen T. Jensen Special Needs Endowment at Grand View for the purpose of helping students with needs not met by other sources of financial aid.
The Lutheran Church and the Des Moines community also benefited from Harry's energy, commitment and wisdom. He served on numerous boards and committees for various Lutheran church bodies and lent his service to coutless civic organizations. He served as president and board member for the Civic Music Association, trustee of the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, board member of Iowa Lutheran Hospital, and treasurer of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. He was also the public representative on the Iowa State Board of Accountancy for eight years and the public representative on the natioal board of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy for three years. In January 2002, he was named Citizen of the Year by the East Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. Harry was a member of Luther Memorial Church.
Harry's generosity, wit, warmth and affability will be remembered by all who knew him, but especially by his family. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who shared himself freely and gave unending emotional support, especially during Ellen's long struggle with cancer. He is survived by his sister, Lois Ohlin of Sun City, Arizona; three daughters, Carol Bamford (John Florian) of West Des Moines, Laurie Bickett of Mankato, Minnesota, and Karma (Mike) Remster of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; as well as six grandchildren; Leslie Bamford; Keith, Todd and Miranda Bickett; Eric and Jeff Remster. He was proceded in death by his wife, Ellen; parents, Andrew and Laura; stepmother, Mary; and brothers, Ralph and Richard.
A memorial service will be held at Luther Memorial Church, 1201 Grandview Ave. on Saturday, September 10 at 3:30 p.m., followed by a reception at the Humphrey Center on the Grand View campus. Memorial contributions can be made to Grand View College. In the words of Kent Henning, Grand View President, "Today we lost a patriarch, a champion, a friend."
Funeral arrangements by Hamilton's near Highland Memory Gardens, with burial in Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.