Katherine "Kathy" Bernice Jensen

Katherine B. “Kathy” Raether Jensen was born January 8, 1940, in Waterloo, Nebraska during a raging blizzard. Her parents were Albert Raether and Margaret and Roy Denker. Kathy attended a country school until 5th grade, transferring to Valley until her Junior year. She then attended Elkhorn High School, graduating in 1957. Kathy was active on the school paper, the yearbook, Pep Club and was a cheerleader. Before marriage, Kathy worked at Boystown and an insurance company. Kathy married the love of her life, Arlo Jensen on November 30, 1957, in Elkhorn, Nebraska, and they were blessed with three children, Jana Maree, John Carl, and Jodee Anne. Kathy and Arlo began married life living in Elkhorn, but moved to a dairy farm in 1960, where Arlo farmed and milked cows for Harold and Dwight Buss. Kathy worked at Western Electric while on the farm. After two years on the farm, Arlo was drafted into the Army. Kathy was able to follow Arlo to El Paso, Texas, and to Germany. After he was discharged, they briefly lived in Elkhorn until buying the home Kathy lived in for years in rural Valley. Kathy stayed home with the children until they were in school and then went to work for her brother, Dr. John Denker, at his office. She later worked at a Valley church, Valley nursing home and Valley Pharmacy before staying home with Arlo to care for two grandchildren from 6 weeks old until they started school. They were 69 years old when they took on this endeavor. In 1964, Kathy & Arlo attended a Billy Graham Crusade and accepted Jesus as their personal Saviour. They are charter members of Our Saviour’s Baptist Church in Elkhorn, where they still worship. Kathy’s hobbies included gardening, sewing, cooking, and decorating. She loved flowers and could work in her yard from early morning until dark. She enjoyed a good steak at Texas Roadhouse and fish at Long John Silver’s, but most of all, enjoyed cooking at home. Her greatest joy was her beloved Arlo, J.C. and Jodee, and her grandkids!! Kathy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in September 2017. She always felt blessed that she didn’t have symptoms as bad as many other people with Parkinson’s. Kathy passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents Albert Raether and Margaret & Roy Denker, daughter Jana Maree, sister Mary Benke, brothers Stuart Denker, John Raether, and Laurence Raether, and brothers-in-law Paul Spilman and Wes Benke. Kathy is survived by her loving husband Arlo, son John “J.C.” and daughter Jodee; grandchildren Corey (Kaylee) Jensen and Zack Jensen of Fremont, NE, and Malley, Jenna & Serena Ugland of Omaha; two sisters Ann Spilman of Bella Vista, AR, and Georgia (George) Daily of Marysville, TN, brother Dr. John (Lorrie) Denker of Valley, NE, sister-in-law LaVerne Raether and many special nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday, March 15 from 5-7 PM at Reichmuth Funeral Home, Elkhorn. A memorial service will be held 10 AM Saturday, March 16 at Heights Church, 20230 Hopper St., Elkhorn, NE 68022 with lunch following the service. Memorials to Heights Church.

Katherine "Kathy" Bernice Jensen

January 8, 1940 - February 27, 2024