Henry "Hank" Robert Jensen

Henry "Han k" Jensen, 77, of Chillicothe, IL, passed away peacefully at 8:48 pm on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at the Arcadia nursing home in Chillicothe, IL, and is now home in heaven.

Hank was born on Wednesday, June 12, 1946, at the family farm in Lone Rock, WI, to Harry Valdemar Jensen and Erma Elizabeth (Nelson) Jensen. He married Marilyn Glee Butler on August 12, 1967, in Omaha, NE. His beloved wife of 40 years passed away on May 7, 2008.

When Hank was young, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, climbing the 85-foot sandstone rock behind their farmhouse, fast-pitch softball, and photography. At New Lisbon High School, he ran track and played trombone. He loved Coca-Cola, black coffee, Hershey's chocolate, drawing/sketching, music, audiobooks, and Packers and Cornhuskers football. He was especially grateful for the wonderful conversations and visits with family and friends these past several months.

In May 1967, Hank graduated from Coleman Technical Institute in La Crosse, WI, with an Associate Degree in Mechanical Design Technology. He worked as a draftsman at Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, IA, and Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, NE, for a total of twelve years, and then another four years at EMCO Industries in Des Moines, IA, while he attended Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, IA. Hank received a Bachelor of Science degree in Pastoral Training/Home Missions from FBBC in May 1983, passed his ordination council examination in April 1986, and earned a Master of Christian Counseling degree from Andersonville Baptist Seminary in July 2001.

From 1983 to 2000, Rev. H.R. Jensen pastored several Baptist churches in Iowa, including Allerton, Manning, and Webster City. He also continued occasional part-time work as a draftsman, school bus driver, and Ambulance Emergency Medical Technician. During his final years of ministry, Rev. Jensen worked for Baptist Children's Home in Iowa and Indiana, helping families and children seeking temporary housing and Biblical counseling. He retired in 2009 and lived in Columbus, OH, for several years before moving to Peoria, IL, in 2012.

Henry is survived by his two sons, Jeff (Cheryl) Jensen of Dunlap, IL, and Chad (Kristin) Jensen of New Albany, OH; grandchildren Andrea (Josh) Gordon, Elisa Jensen, Mahala Jensen, Jordan Jensen, Henry Jensen, and Evren Jensen; a brother Harold "Gus" Jensen and sister Cynthia "Cindy" Jensen. His parents and brother Hubert "Jens" Jensen preceded him in death.

A Memorial Service was held Saturday, June 1 at 2:00 p.m., at the Fairfield Friends Meeting, 10441 E. County Rd. 700 S., Camby, Indiana.  His sons are planning to spread the cremated remains of Hank and Marilyn at Lake Panorama, Iowa, on August 12, 2024. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Baptist Children's Home at https://baptistchildrenshome.org . Affordable Funeral & Cremation Services of Central Illinois, Peoria is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory or condolence with his family, visit www.peoriafuneral.com.