Betty Lou Jensen, 82, of Preston, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2014, at Seasons Hospice in Rochester, after a courageous fight with cancer.

Betty Lou Jones was born April 25, 1932, in Rice County, Northfield, Minn., to Floyd and Olive (Sargeant) Jones. In 1940 the family moved to Sargeant, Minn. She attended rural school in Northfield and graduated from Austin High School in 1949. She then was employed at the Production and Marketing Administration Office in Austin.

On May 17, 1954, Betty married Orville Jensen in Sioux Falls, S.D. They made their home in Brownsdale. In 1960, they moved to rural Preston where they began farming and raised their family.

From 1981 to 1991, Betty worked at the Pine Tree Apple Orchard in Preston. Betty was an active member of the Preston United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. She served as a representative on the Salvation Army Board for Fillmore County. Betty and Orville volunteered through Channel One doing food distribution for many years. Betty also volunteered at the food shelf in Preston for several years. She enjoyed visiting with family and friends, sewing, dancing, and music.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Orville; six children, Pam (Rod) Nelson of Chatfield, Minn., Karen Jensen of Rochester, Minn., Duane Jensen of Stewartville, Minn., Carol Jensen of Winona, Minn., Angela Jensen (John Cordes) of Wanamingo, and Julie Jensen (Mike Eidenschink) of Randolph; 11 grandchildren, Jeff Junge, Luke Junge (Amanda Tibbals), Jeremy (Shawn) Jensen, April Jensen, Tyler (Mary Beth) Nelson, Lindsey Nelson, Nicolle Jensen, Jesse Meyer, Shane Meyer, Clayton Romanoski, and Amber Jensen; nine great-grandchildren, Tatyn, MacKenzie, Matthew, Macy, Andrew, Kennedy, Mattison, Savannah and Charlotte; one sister, Carol (Gary) Lingbeck of Rochester; two brothers, Dick (Irene) Jones of Cohassett, Jim (Ivadene) of Loveland, Colo.; sister-in-law, Judy Jones, of Grand Meadow, Minn.; brother-in-law Roy Schmidt of Grand Meadow, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her brother, Bill Jones; and sister, Mary Schmidt.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 6, at the United Methodist Church in Preston. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, at the United Methodist Church in Preston, followed by a luncheon. A burial will be held at Watson Creek Cemetery in rural Preston. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society or the Salvation Army.