Richard A. Jensen

Richard Alvin Jensen died peacefully in Lakeville, MN on November 19, 2014 surrounded by his wife Bonnie and their three children. He was born July 4, 1934 in Fremont, NE to Alvin and Mabel (Hansen) Jensen. He was baptized at First Lutheran Church, attended public schools and graduated from Fremont High School. He married Bonnie Lou Hagedorn of Royal, IA in 1957. They are the parents of three children, Doron Richard, Dodelle Kathryn and Derek Luther. Jensen was ordained a pastor by the United Evangelical Lutheran Church (later American Lutheran Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). He was a popular preacher, teacher and author throughout the church in the United States and abroad. Jensen held a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology, Dubuque, IA and a S.T.M. degree from Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary, Maywood, IL. He was a graduate of Trinity Seminary, Dubuque, IA and of Dana College, Blair, NE. Jensen retired in 2002 after distinguished service in teaching as Carlson Professor of Homiletics Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1997-2002; Dean of D. Min. in Preaching for the Association of Chicago Theological Seminaries and ELCA’s Director of Cluster Planning for three seminaries, 1993-1997; Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA, 1972-1981; Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1982; Assistant Professor of Religion at Dana College, 1968-70; missionary professor at Mekane Yesus Seminary, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1962-1965. He served pastoral roles for Dana College Campus Congregation, 1965-68, and International Lutheran Church, Addis Ababa, 1962-65. Jensen served as the director and speaker of Lutheran Vespers, a weekly nationwide radio ministry of the ALC and the ELCA, 1982-93. During these years in public media, he helped create and moderated two television series for the ALC: Reflections and Rhapsody; and a confirmation video series, journeys in faith, in collaboration with Seraphim Communications, St. Paul, MN. Dr. Jensen’s major published writings include Touched By The Spirit (1975); Telling The Story (1980); Thinking in Story (1993); Preaching Mark’s Gospel, (1996); Preaching Luke’s Gospel (1997); Preaching Matthew’s Gospel (1998) Envisioning the Word: The Use of Visual Images in Preaching (2005) and a dozen sermon booklets published by Lutheran Vespers. Jensen is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Karen Capel of Rosemount, MN. He is survived his wife, Bonnie Jensen of Apple Valley, MN; children Doron Jensen (Laurie), Burnsville, MN; Dodelle Jensen Dhein (Dan), Tallahassee, FL; and Derek Jensen (Shawn), Rochester, MN; grandchildren Christian Jensen, Grey Jensen, Emme Jensen, Lerin Dhein, Heidi Dhein, Careena Dhein, Kacey Jensen, Zoe Jensen; a sister Janet Sono (Masakazu) of Otsu, Japan and many beloved nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 3 at 11:00 a.m. at Easter Church at the Lake, 4545 Pilot Knob Road, Junction of Pilot Knob and Cliff Rd., Eagan, MN 55112. A lunch will be served following the service. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer, IA. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial gifts to: Wartburg Theological Seminary, PO Box 5004, Dubuque, IA 52004-5004 and/or ELCA Global Mission, 8765 West Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631-4101 (designated for International Women Scholarships). Visit www.wisefamilyfh.com to sign the tribute page and view the memorial video.