Funeral Services For Irene E. Jenkins

Irene Elinor Jenkins, 98 of St. Edward, NE, died Thursday, December 17, 2015, at Cloverlodge Care Center in St. Edward. 

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 21, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in St. Edward, NE, with burial to follow at Salem Lutheran Cemetery, rural St. Edward. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Sunday at the United Methodist Church in St. Edward.

Miller-Levander Funeral Home of St. Edward is in charge of arrangements. 

Irene was born on August 14, 1917, to F.A. and Nellie (Soderberg) Jenson on her parents’ Platte County farm southwest of Newman Grove, NE. Irene attended Platte County District 61 through the eighth grade and graduated from Newman Grove High School in 1934. In September of 1934, she began her teaching career in the rural schools of Madison and Platte Counties, attending Wayne State Teacher’s College during summers. 

On November 18, 1945, she married the love of her life, Ed Jenkins, at her parents’ farm home near Newman Grove. Following their marriage, the couple moved to their farm northeast of St. Edward, NE. Together, they became members of the Salem Lutheran Church, where Irene taught Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, and played the organ for many years. Irene was also active among the church women, holding different offices. 

Irene was kept busy on the farm cooking and baking for her family and many friends who would happen to stop in. She always made sure that everyone was fed, no matter how many would show up. 

Surviving Irene are her four children: Mary (John) Sandau of Maryville, MO; Linda (Jim) Newman of Ashland, MO; Kenny (Tami) Jenkins of St. Edward; Lee Jenkins of Omaha, NE; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; along with many other relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ed who died November 28, 2014; an infant son; two sisters: Alice Pitman and Lois Nicklasson.

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