Harriet L. Jensen

Harriet Louise Jensen passed away April 2, 2016 at Golden Living Center in Cozad at the age of 92. Harriet was born May 8, 1923 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Elbert and Mary Edna (Hill) Taylor. She graduated from Hebron High School with the class of 1940. Harriet went on to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. In 1943, she married Richard Jensen at her parents’ home in Belvidere, Nebraska. They moved to a farm near Cozad, Nebraska. As a young wife and mother, Harriet raised, dressed and sold chickens to supplement the farm income. She did custom sewing; making and altering everything from wedding dresses to pep club uniforms. She had many interests and multiple unique talents including gardening, sewing, knitting and welding. She was an avid reader. Harriet and Richard owned and operated Airy Knoll Farms for many years. She was actively involved in the operation of the farm, first as a dairy farm and later raising Angora and Spanish goats for meat, fiber and weed control. Harriet wrote several NEB guides for the UNL Extension Agency on topics related to raising goats. She enjoyed being involved in the preservation of the Columbian Mammoth found on the farm in 1993. She took hours of videos and made sure the paleontologists were fed and comfortable. She was a member of a garden club, DAR and the Church of Christ. Harriet was small in stature, but a force to be reckoned with. Harriet was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson, Michael Jensen; great grandson, Ryan Schmeeckle; son-in-law, Edwin A. Schmeeckle. Survivors include her children, Mark (Margaret) Jensen of Elgin, Kent (Linda) Jensen of Eloy, AZ, Connie Schmeeckle of Gothenburg and Sue Cullers of Cozad; grandchildren, Steven (Alex) Jensen, John (Jill) Schmeeckle, Chris (Steve) Petersen, Laura (Pete Alvestad) Jensen, Sandra (Brian) Olcott, Alan (Lynette) Schmeeckle and Nick (and fiancée Amberlyn Morse) Cullers; 11 great grandchildren, Kolton Barnes, David (Destiny) Olcott, Jacob Schmeeckle, Konner Barnes, Matthew Schmeeckle, Klaire Petersen, Brooke Schmeeckle, Grahm Petersen, Elizabeth Petersen, Asher Petersen and Erin Schmeeckle; 3 great great grandchildren, Derek, David Jr. and Dixie Olcott; sister-in-law, Naomi Boilesen; nieces and cousins. Memorials are suggested to the Church of Christ, Cozad or Pibel Bible Camp c/o Kim Newquist, PO Box 105 Ord, NE 68862. Cremation was chosen. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Christ at 2117 Newell with Pastor James McCrickard officiating. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so on Tuesday from 1 to 5 at Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad, which is in charge of arrangements.