She was born on October 11th, 1938 to Everett Hagedorn and Kathryn Carlson Hagedorn of Royal, IA. She was baptized and confirmed in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Royal, IA. Bonnie graduated in 1956 from Royal High School, Royal, IA where she excelled in music and sports. She was a star forward on the basketball team playing in two state tournaments.

She married Richard A. Jensen (Dick) on the 8th of September 1957. Bonnie Jensen and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Richard A. Jensen, served as American Lutheran Church missionaries at Mekane Yesus Seminary, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 1962-1965.

Bonnie was a graduate of Dana College magna cum laude in 1970 of Blair, NE and Wartburg Theological Seminary in 1980 of Dubuque, IA. She held honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees at both institutions (1997 and 2003). Bonnie was ordained by the Metropolitan Chicago Synod in 1993. She was also a recipient of Distinguished Alumnus awards from Dana College and California Lutheran University.

From 1981-1987, Bonnie was the Director of the American Lutheran Church Women (ALCW) offices based in Minneapolis, MN.
From 1988-1993, she worked as the Director for Global Mission Education.
From 1993-1995, she served the division as Director for Planning and Evaluation and Program Director for Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific,
and then finally, the Executive Director of the Division for Global Mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), from 1995-2003 in Chicago, IL. There, she oversaw the global program cooperating in 70 countries with 400 missionaries and volunteers and 47 Chicago-based staff. During her tenure, she diversified the ethnic makeup of the division staff by adding significant numbers of people with Latino, Arab, African, and Asian backgrounds.

Bonnie Jensen also worked passionately to raise the voices of women through her leadership and powerful belief in diversifying the church and the world around her.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Richard A. Jensen, her parents, Everett and Kathryn Hagedorn, and brother, Larry Hagedorn.

She is survived by her three children, Doron Jensen of Eagan, MN; Dodelle "Dodi" Dhein (Dan) of Tallahassee, FL; and Derek Jensen (Shawn) of Rochester, MN; her eight grandchildren, Lerin Dhein, Tallahassee, FL; Christian Jensen (Erin), Sioux Falls, SD; Heidi Dhein (Gannon Audette), Tallahassee, FL; Grey Jensen, Colorado Springs, CO; Careena Dhein, Eagan, MN; Kacey Jensen, Rochester, MN; Zoe Jensen, Rochester, MN; and Emme Jensen, St. Paul, MN; her three great-grandchildren, Belle Audette, Tallahassee, FL; Catherine and Annalise Jensen, Sioux Falls, SD; and her sister, Dixie Petersen, Wichita, KS.

Memorials are suggested to Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.

#2- from obituary printed in the April 10, 2024 Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bonnie Lou (Hagedorn) Jensen

Bonnie Lou was born on October 11th, 1938 to Everett Hagedorn and Kathryn Carlson Hagedorn of Royal, IA. She was baptized and confirmed in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Royal, IA. Bonnie graduated in 1956 from Royal High School, Royal, IA where she excelled in music and sports. She was a star forward on the basketball team playing in two state tournaments.

She married Richard A. Jensen (Dick) on the 8th of September 1957. Bonnie Jensen and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Richard A. Jensen, served as American Lutheran Church missionaries at Mekane Yesus Seminary, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 1962-1965. Bonnie was a graduate of Dana College magna cum laude in 1970 of Blair, NE and Wartburg Theological Seminary in 1980 of Dubuque, IA. She held honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees at both institutions (1997 and 2003). Bonnie was ordained by the Metropolitan Chicago Synod in 1993. She was also a recipient of Distinguished Alumnus awards from Dana College and California Lutheran University. From 1981-1987, Bonnie was the Director of the American Lutheran Church Women (ALCW) offices based in Minneapolis, MN. From 1988-1993, she worked as the Director for Global Mission Education. From 1993-1995, she served the division as Director for Planning and Evaluation and Program Director for Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific, and then finally, the Executive Director of the Division for Global Mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), from 1995-2003 in Chicago, IL. There, she oversaw the global program cooperating in 70 countries with 400 missionaries and volunteers and 47 Chicago-based staff. During her tenure, she diversified the ethnic makeup of the division staff by adding significant numbers of people with Latino, Arab, African, and Asian backgrounds. Bonnie Jensen also worked passionately to raise the voices of women through her leadership and powerful belief in diversifying the church and the world around her.

Bonnie Lou (Hagedorn) Jensen, age 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 31st, 2024 at Eagan Pointe Senior Living in Eagan, Minnesota.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Richard A. Jensen, her parents, Everett and Kathryn Hagedorn, and brother, Larry Hagedorn.

Left to cherish her memory are her three children, Doron Jensen of Eagan, MN; Dodelle "Dodi" Dhein (Dan) of Tallahassee, FL; and Derek Jensen (Shawn) of Rochester, MN; her eight grandchildren, Lerin Dhein, Tallahassee, FL; Christian Jensen (Erin), Sioux Falls, SD; Heidi Dhein (Gannon Audette), Tallahassee, FL; Grey Jensen, Colorado Springs, CO; Careena Dhein, Eagan, MN; Kacey Jensen, Rochester, MN; Zoe Jensen, Rochester, MN; and Emme Jensen, St. Paul, MN; her three great-grandchildren, Belle Audette, Tallahassee, FL; Catherine and Annalise Jensen, Sioux Falls, SD; and her sister, Dixie Petersen, Wichita, KS.

Memorials are suggested to Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA or a charity of your choice.

Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.

#3-Funeral leaflet

Celebration of Life for Bonnie Lou Hagedorn Jensen

October 11, 1938 ~ March 31, 2024

Saturday, 11:30am April 13, 2024 Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church (ELCA) Minneapolis, Minnesota

Prelude: "Global Music Sing-Along"--Mary Preus/Tom Witt. Greetings: Bishop Patricia Lull. Scripture Reading Isaiah 52: 7-10, Kacey Jensen. Sharing: Rev. April Larson, Rev. Barbara Lund. Song: "Borning Cry" led by Kim Capel and Anni Coyle. Scripture Reading: Isaiah 42: 6-7 Christian Jensen. Sharing From Family: Emme Jensen, Careena Dhein, Grey Jensen. Gospel: Luke 24: 1-12. Sermon Pastor Kristen Capel.

Burial will take place on September 8, 2024 at Riverside Cemetery, Spencer, Iowa.

Memorials suggested to Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa or a charity of your choice.

The family of the Rev. Bonnie L. Jensen extend our humble appreciation to all who have commemorated her exceptional life with us today. Also, a special thanks to the many servants, including our cousin, Pastor Kris Capel, and the staff and volunteers at Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church who made this beautiful Celebration of Life possible. Peace to all of you!

~~~Tributes below from the Star-Tribune~~~

I am very sorry to hear about the death of my former colleague and friend Rev. Bonnie Jensen. Bonnie was a defender of women's rights, and a dedicated person to Global Mission outreach. Rest in peace my friend and sister in Christ.--Belletech Deressa

What a remarkable woman. A life to cherish and remember.--Robert and Sandi Bro

My sincere condolences to the family. I grew up in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Royal Iowa where I knew the Hagedorn family. Bonnie taught me piano lessons and directed the junior choir. She was my biggest inspiration as a young child and I will always remember her kindness to me. May she rest in peace.--Mary Jones Fulton

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

FindaGrave # 271593218