Mary Knolle Jensen

Mary Knolle Jensen, 84, of Terre Haute, IN, passed away on September 7th, 2024. Mary was born May 6, 1940 to Lee M. Knolle and Helen M. Knolle in Sioux City, IA. She is survived by son Randall L. Jensen and wife Diane of Terre Haute, IN, daughter Julie A. Stilwell and husband Ron of Goshen, IN, son Jeffrey D. Jensen and wife Mary Beth of Terre Haute, IN, son John W. Jensen and wife Susan of Chesterfield, MO, and son James K. Jensen, and wife Julie of Terre Haute, IN. Grandchildren include Jonathan (Jessica), Hilary (Andy), Lillian, Claire, Mitchell, Kaleb, Andrew, Abigail, Leo, and Thomas. Great grandchildren are Marie and Anderson; brother Neil M. Knolle (Barbara), sister Carol Knolle-Faulkner (Rich), and sister-in-law Karen Howard. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Louis R. Jensen, and brother-in-law Kent Howard.

Mary attended schools in Sioux City, IA K-12, graduating in 1958 from Sioux City Central High School. She attended the University of South Dakota for one year and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1962 with a B.S. and B.A. in French, English, and Music. She received an M.S. in College Student Personnel Work from Indiana State University in 1975 as well as 30 hours past the Masters in French and English.

Mary taught French Enrichment in the summer program of the Sioux City, IA Schools, Whittier Junior High School French & English in Lincoln, NE, and French & English at Van Buren H. S. (Clay Co.,) Honey Creek Junior High School, concluding her teaching career with 15 years of teaching French at Terre Haute North Vigo High School. She worked with the NACEL student exchange and placed dozens of young people with families in France, Spain, Ivory Coast and the United States.

She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority and Alpha Lambda Delta at USD and Mortar Board at UN-L. In her professional years, Mary was a member of the VCTA, NEA, Retired Teachers of Vigo Co., Chapter BN and an organizing member of Chapter DR, PEO. Mary was initiated by her mother into PEO in 1959 and was honored as a Golden Girl at the State Convention in Indianapolis in 2009. She is now a 65-year member of PEO. She also is a member and Past President of Kiwanis of Greater Terre Haute, Past President of Delta Kappa Gamma and Sigma Alpha Iota and involved with Community Theatre, the Board of Directors of the 14th and Chestnut Community Center, and pianist, organist, and member of Seelyville United Methodist Church since 1973.

In retirement, Mary enjoyed family events, close friends, yard work, book club, reading, the Symphony, travel, and her pets.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday September 14th, 2024 at 2 p.m. at Seelyville United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 p.m. prior to the Celebration of Life. Interment of ashes will take place later in Greenwood and Craig, Nebraska.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to:  Indiana State University Foundation, c/o The Louis R. and Mary K. Jensen “Bridge the Gap” Scholarship Fund, 30 North 5th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807.  Funeral information and tributes may be found at www.callahanandhughes.com.