Odessa Jensen, 92, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away Saturday, June 27, 2015, at Plum Creek Healthcare Community in Lexington.

Odessa was born November 7, 1922, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to W.D. and Nettie (Scott) Stephens. She was born two months premature and weighed 2 ½ pounds. She grew up in Hot Springs and graduated from Hot Springs High school. On January 22, 1943, she met and married after a one week courtship the love of her life, Roy E. Jensen, in Hot Springs. This union was blessed with two daughters, Sue Dell and Linda Nell.

The family lived in Hot Springs and Kearney before moving to Lexington in 1958.

After she moved to Lexington, she worked at Baumgartner’s Variety Store, McGuire Bakery, Ben Franklin, Hellmann’s, and later Walmart.

Her hobbies included crocheting, knitting, beading, sewing, and reading. She especially loved making Barbie doll clothes. She so enjoyed making sweaters and Afghans, which are now family heirlooms. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Odessa was a member of Parkview Baptist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Survivors include her daughters, Sue Eby Keller of Lexington, Nebraska, and, Linda (Gene) Young of Lexington, Nebraska; five grandchildren, Barbara (Bernie) Petska of Kearney, Nebraska, Donnie (Marsha) Young of Lexington, Nebraska, Carolyn (Corty) Kulhanek of Lexington, Nebraska, Debbie Eby Kosmicki of Nashville, Tennessee, and Mike (Lisa) Eby of Moreno Valley, California; eight great-grandchildren, Lindsey Eby, Andrew Eby, Jacque Kosmicki, Calvin Mak and fiancé Courtney, Gretchen Mak, Sam, Max and Will Kulhanek;
as well as many step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren and step-great-great-grandchildren; also surviving are loving nieces and nephews in Hot Springs, extended family and friends.

Odessa was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roy; brothers, Charles & J.W. Stephens, sisters, Irene Thomason, Connie Briggs, and their spouses, and a lifetime friend, Ruth Marlatt, and loving son-in-law, Kermit Keller.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, July 2, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Lexington with Rev. Dyton Owen officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements.