Dale L. Jensen

Dale Jensen, 93, of Mason City, passed away on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at the MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N Pennsylvania Ave, with Rev. Dan Gerrietts officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service time. Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Association.

Dale Laverne Jensen was born on April 20, 1930, in Audubon County, Iowa to parents Christopher and Nina (Lund) Jensen. Dale graduated from Exira High School in 1948. He attended Drake University and graduated in 1952 with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Education. In May of 1952, he was united in marriage to Avis Müller.  In June of 1952, he was drafted into the United States Army and deployed to Darmstadt, Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1954. After his time in the military, he completed his Master’s in Education while working as a journalist covering sporting events for the Des Moines Register.  He then began teaching in various school districts before taking on the role of Principal in 1958 in the Waverly School District. In 1962, Dale and his family moved to Mason City, where he was Principal of Hoover Elementary.  After a brief move to Iowa City, he received his Ph D in Education from the University of Iowa, making him a lifelong Hawkeye fan!  Following this, he served as Assistant Superintendent, finishing his career as the Area Education Administrator for North Central Iowa.

In 1995, Dale retired and began traveling. He visited Europe, Australia, wintered in Palm Springs, California and Fountain Hills, Arizona.  Dale was always an avid sports fan – his favorite teams being the Twins, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the Vikings. 

Dale is survived by his wife, Avis; children, Debra Ausenhus, Cindy (Will Button) Carter, Jeffrey (Lynne) Jensen; six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Harvey (Carrie) Jensen, Darlene Hilsabeck, Norma (Bob) Roberts, Doris (Marvin) Jorgenson; and son-in-law Dennis Ausenhus.