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Timothy Anker Jensen, age 78, died April 15, 2023, at CountryHouse Residence in Omaha. The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. on April 29, 2023, at First Lutheran Church, 2146 Wright Street, Blair. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., with a lunch to follow.

Timothy Anker Jensen was born May 3, 1944, in Edmore, Mich., to Anker Jensen, a Lutheran Pastor, and Vita Hansen Jensen. In 1948 the family moved to Luck, Wis., a small, idyllic community which Tim cherished, and which was formative of his outgoing and caring character. In 1955, the family moved to Castro Valley, Calif.; at 18, he enrolled at Dana College in Blair, where he received a B.A. in History in 1966. After graduation he enrolled in the Department of History of Religions in the Divinity School at the University of Chicago, earning an M.A. in 1970 and a PhD in 1976.

Tim was an exceptional student and found joy and adventure in learning. He was valedictorian of his graduating classes in both high school and college, and was a Woodrow Wilson and Danforth Fellow. In a long teaching career, Tim was widely respected and appreciated by students and colleagues. He taught in departments of Religion at Mary Washington College, in Fredricksburg, Va. (1972-1978), Sturt College, in Adelaide, South Australia (1977-1982), and at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (1982-2004). In Blair, he worked as a programmer/analyst at Great Plains Communications (1985-2006).

On June 12, 1970, Tim was united in marriage to Sharon Ellen Messer in Chicago, Ill. Tim’s father and his uncle, Earl Bengsten, officiated the ceremony. Tim and Sharon were inseparable in their many travels and adventures; Tim described his marriage to Sharon as the greatest joy and good fortune of his life. Tim volunteered for many organizations, and was particularly devoted to the causes of peace and equality. For many years Tim contributed to the Danish American Archive and Library in Blair, which he also served as board president. Having grown up deeply immersed in Lutheran and Danish American culture, he enjoyed exploring his roots, learning and teaching about Denmark, and working with fellow volunteers and visitors. Tim traveled widely, loved languages and learning, and was long a committed practitioner of Vipassana meditation. He is remembered for his kindness, energy, humor, and, especially, for his exceptional intellect. Tim’s memory and breadth of knowledge were extraordinary, and commented on by all who knew him. He had a passion for ideas and learning, especially learning about the diverse peoples and cultures that enriched his life.

Tim is survived by his wife Sharon, his sister and brother-in-law, Miriam and Michael Bennett, of Discovery Bay, Calif., his son and daughter-in-law, Erik and Sara Jensen of Omaha, and son and daughter-in-law Joel Jensen and Eve Willadsen-Jensen, of Minneapolis, Minn., as well as three grandchildren, Amasa, Anker and Asta.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Danish American Archive and Library, 1738 Washington Street, Blair, NE 68008.

#2 Funeral leaflet

Bidden or not bidden, God is Present—Desiderius Erasmus (1469-1536)

Celebration of Life Service for Timothy Anker Jensen April 29, 2023 First Lutheran Church, Blair, NE

Processional “Turn, Turn, Turn” by Pete Seeger

We gather together to worship in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord

Hymn “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind” by John Greenleaf Whittier

Eulogy: Joel Jensen

Hymn “Spirit of Gentleness” by James K. Manley

Special Reading: Eve Willadsen-Jensen A favorite passage of Tim’s from Shobogenzo Shoji by Eihel Dogen. Shobogenzo means “Treasury of the True Dharma Eye” and Shoji means “Birth and Death”. Dogen lived from 1200-1253

Special Music “Let it Be” by Paul McCartney and John Lennon

Family Memories: Miriam Bennett

Liturgy of the Word: The Lord be with you. (and also with you). O God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our brother Tim. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us your aid, so we may see in death the gate to eternal life, that we may continue our course on earth in confidence until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before us; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (Amen).

Scripture readings: Romans 12: 1-2 and 15-18. Erik Jensen.

Hymn: “My Life Flows on in Endless Song”, by Robert Lowry.

My life flows on in endless song
Above Earth’s lamentation
I hear the real, though far off hymn
That hails the new creation.
Above the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It sounds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?

What through the tempest loudly roars
I hear the truth, it liveth
What through the darkness round me close
Songs in the night it giveth
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I’m clinging
Since love is lord of Heaven and Earth
How can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble, sick with fear
And hear their death-knell ringing
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?

Text: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899
Music: Robert Lowry

Message: Pastor Sara Jensen

Hymn: “This is My Song” by Lloyd Stone, Georgia Harkness, and Jean Sibelius

Moment of Silence

Prayers of the Church

Recessional “Morning Has Broken” by Eleanor Farjeon

Postlude

Officiating: Rod Hansen P.M.A. Preacher: Pastor Sara Jensen. Soloist: Simone Weber. Band: Eric Jensen, Vince Krysl, Keith Pille, and Simone Weber

Friends and relatives are invited to the Fellowship Hall for a meal following the service.

~~~Obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

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