A. Russell Jensen, 73, of Tekamah, died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2001, at his home under the loving care of his family following a battle with cancer.

Fuenral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tekamah. The Rev. Daniel E. Monson will officiate. Interment with Masonic Rites will be in the Tekamah Cemetery.

Visitation began Thursday, and will also be held one hour prior to services on Friday. A Masonic Service was held Thursday evening by the Masonic Lodge No. 31, A.F. & A.M.

A. Russell Jensen was born Jan. 25, 1928, on the family farm northwest of Tekamah to Nels Alfred and Mabel Lynnetta (Moore) Jensen. He graduated from Tekamah High School in 1945, and attended Dana College in Blair before leaving his studies to help on the family farm during the war.

In 1946, he married DeLores Mueller in Tekamah. The couple lived on the family farm where they raised their four children. Mr. Jensen was engaged in farming until arthritis required his retirement at around the age of 50. The couple celebrated 54 years of marriage together.

Mr. Jensen was an accomplished pilot, taking his training at the age of 58. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Omaha Tangier Shrine. He also founded the Tangier Rawhide Nobles Shrine Unit in Burt County.

He is survived by his wife, DeLores of Tekamah; daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl and Gary Micek of Omaha, Trudie Craven of Conway, Ark., Beth and John Kjeldgaard of Tekamah; son and daughter-in-law, Russell Jr. and Marilee Jensen of Omaha; eight grandchildren and their spouses, and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Marjorie Ransom, Gwendolyn Sass and Barbara Shannon, and a son-in-law, Charles Craven.

Memorials are suggested to the Tangier Shrine, Transportation Fund, 2823 S. 84th St., Omaha, NE, 68214, or to the Tekamah Fire and Rescue.

Hanmel-Peck-Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah is in charge of arrangements.