Elaine R. Jensen

Elaine Rachel (Kalheff) Jensen left her Earthly home to join her husband, daughters, parents, and many others that have been waiting for her arrival in Heaven, on Wednesday, December 27th, 2023. Born to Peter and Mae Kalheff on April 17, 1930, and raised in the Fargo area, she attended school at Oak Grove and received her high school diploma. She married Luverne Jensen on August 18, 1964, and they chose to make their home in Dilworth, MN where they raised their family. After Vern passed in 2015, Elaine was moved to West Fargo with her daughter Becky then in 2021 she moved into Bethany on 42nd where she spent her final few years.  She worked for several years providing home care for the elderly and when her body would no longer allow it, she moved on to telemarketing so she could rest her legs while she earned a living. Her favorite position and the one she was best at, was being a mom. She loved having her children at home with her and even though she raised her children to be independent and encouraged them to go where their hearts desired, if it had been up to her, they would still be living in the family home. 

Elaine always had a story to tell. Some stories were from her school days, some were from her work experiences, and some were just funny tidbits that she made up as she went along. “Just because there is snow on the roof, doesn’t mean the furnace went out.” That phrase has been heard a thousand times by those that knew her. She giggled like a young child when she would tell the story behind that saying and if you were listening, you’d be giggling with her. Mornings and weekends were nearly always spent in the garden. The family home was on 2 plots of land, one for the house, and the second for the garden. There was always an abundance of fresh vegetables as well as plums, apples, and grapes for snacking. In the evenings after supper was eaten and dishes were cleaned, she and Vern would retire to the family room where the television would have a sitcom or the news on. It was not uncommon for Vern to have the newspaper open during this time and Elaine with her crochet bag out or her puzzle books. When not gardening, working, or relaxing at home, some favorite past times were visiting Russell when he lived in Fergus Falls and Perham, ice fishing, and family outings at any Minnesota lake. 

Although the furnace has gone out in the Dilworth home shared by the Jensen family, Elaine’s sparkle will live forever. She will be loved and remembered always by her son; Russell, Moorhead, MN; daughters, Rachel (Mark Kindy), Sheila Hicks, grandchildren; Andy Stumbo, Tony Stumbo, Destiny Rotenberger (Derek), MacKenzie Hicks, Kaine Sax, Drake Sax; great grandchildren; Anya, William, Freya, Autumn, Gray; in laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Waiting for her arrival in Heaven are her parents, her loving husband; Luverne, daughters; Becky Coste, Shawn Wishinsky; sister, Hazel; and too many other family members and close friends. 

A memorial service with Livestream will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2023, at 2:00 PM with a visitation one hour before the service at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead.

Final resting place will be in Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND.

The family welcomes flowers but due to allergies, please refrain from arrangements containing roses.