LaDonna Marguerite Jensen age 79 of Westbrook, formerly of Walnut Grove, passed away with her family by her side on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook. Visitation is 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday at the church and will continue one hour prior to services on Saturday. Burial is in the Westbrook Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent via www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
LaDonna Marguerite Swanson Jensen was born April 24, 1934 in Tracy, MN to Joseph N. and Esther M. (Cox) Swanson. She was baptized on June 1, 1935 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. LaDonna grew up and attended school in Walnut Grove. As a child, she played on the banks of the Plum Creek (actual home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House on the Prairie books). LaDonna worked most of her life. She sold tickets and was an usher in the theater in Walnut Grove. After graduation in 1953, LaDonna attended beauty school in Minneapolis. She worked in a salon in Walnut Grove, which she later purchased. On August 28, 1954 she was united in marriage to Arnold C. Jensen. To this union four children were born: Paula, Jeffrey, Cornell, and Amy. LaDonna and Arnie lived in Westbrook, Fargo, Jamestown, Fargo, and Big Stone City. Then they moved back to Westbrook in 1967. LaDonna worked for Laura Anderson for many years. In 1978, she opened LaDonna’s Beauty Shop next to Arnie’s barber shop. She loved her many ladies whom she saw every week for 55 years. LaDonna was a member of the Westbrook VFW Women’s Auxiliary. She enjoyed working with her flowers outside every summer; pansies and gerbera daisies were among her favorites. LaDonna loved her coffee, and the wonderful friends she drank it with. She loved her family and friends more than words can say. LaDonna was so very proud of her children and grandchildren.
LaDonna is survived by her husband Arnold Jensen; son Jeffrey (Rhonda) Jensen; daughter Amy (Lee) Schmalz; grandchildren Shane and Lindsay Jensen; step grandchildren Jacob (Erica) and Stacia Gleitz; and great grandchildren Kiara and Kashen. She is also survived by nieces and nephews: Linda Bergs, Susan Larson, Kevin (Jayne) Swanson, Debra (Ross) Johnson, and a host of family and friends. LaDonna will be missed by many; she was a blessing to everyone who knew her. She is preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Esther Swanson-Nelson, step father Victor Nelson, brother James (Delores) Swanson, auntie Marge Moore, daughter Paula, and son Cornell.