A funeral service for Nita Jenson, 90, of Albert Lea, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Rev. Eileen Woyen will officiate. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

After suffering a fall on Thursday, Nita died unexpectedly in the hospital, Friday, April 6, 2018. 

Loneita “Nita” Marie (Nelsen) Jenson was born on April 1, 1928, to Andrew M. and Sophie (Olsen) Nelsen in Albert Lea. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1946. During high school, she worked at North Side’s soda fountain, where she met Philip B. Jenson. After graduation, she worked at the First National Bank.

On June 12, 1949, she was united in marriage to Phil at Trinity Lutheran Church. Later in life, she returned to work at Northpark for 15 years.

Nita and Phil resided at Broadway Farm south of Albert Lea. Here they were known for their 40-plus years of raising/showing quarter horses. Nita’s beauty showed in her outward appearance and her generous spirit. As a talented farmwife, she was busy feeding/showing horses, raising Australian Shepherds and handling farm finances. Later as the farm expanded, she was an integral part of the planting and harvesting season while driving tractors and grain trucks.

Nita was blessed with natural artistic ability, beautiful calligraphy skills and gardening expertise. She was also an excellent seamstress, a superb cook who loved to entertain and an avid 500 card player.

Nita had leadership roles in home extension, church council and church circle groups. She participated in Bible study, her girls’ 4-H activities and Freeborn County Fair. Nita and Phil often traveled to Branson, enjoying country/gospel music. Nita’s life changed drastically in 2004, when she suffered a stroke affecting her mind. With time and God’s grace she partially recovered, never losing her faith.

Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Phil; daughters Gale Nelson of Albert Lea and Trudy (Darvin) Moberg of Bruce, South Dakota; grandchildren Jeff (Melissa) Nelson of New Ulm, Scott (Amber) Moberg of Bruce, Shane (Tori) Moberg of Estelline, South Dakota; Trina (Andrew) Turner of Rapid City, South Dakota; great-grandchildren Allie, Josie, Becca and Brock Nelson, and Whitney and Kelsey Moberg; sister-in-law, Jackie Jenson; and several nieces and nephews. Nita was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Melvin (Hazel) Nelsen, Elmer (Margret) Nelsen and Lloyd Nelsen; sister, Garnys (Mike) Nelson; brothers-in-law, Ralph Jenson; sisters-in-law Marynona (Clair) Brunkow, Lois (Don) Hill and Carol Jenson; son-in-law, Lynn Nelson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church or Youth for Christ.