Mrs. Donna Marie Jensen

Donna Marie Haltmar Jensen, age 61, of Washington, died peacefully Wednesday July 16, 2014 at home surrounded by family. A memorial service for the celebration of Donna's life will be held Saturday July 26, 2014 at Friedens Church of Washington, 20301 FM 1155E at Bosse Road at 11:00 AM with Pastor Greg Felder officiating. A gathering of family and friends will begin at 9:00AM prior to the service. Arrangements are under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel.
Donna was born February 27, 1953 in Navasota, Texas to John Bobby and Betty Bright Haltmar. Donna was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Navasota. She was married on July 8, 1972 to Billy Ray Jensen also at the United Methodist Church. She was a faithful member of Friedens Church of Washington, where she was a Sunday School teacher for many years.
A graduate of Navasota High School, she worked for Mike Jackson’s Summitt Oaks School and the Brenham State Supported School until the birth of her first son. After that, she worked for 15 years in the Brenham ISD. She was a charter member of the Washington Volunteer Fire Department and was a water safety instructor.
Donna loved camping and fishing, especially at the coast, where she said the ocean waves calmed her spirit and lulled her into tranquility. Her last trip to the coast was on Memorial Day Weekend, where she was photographed in the boat with her big catch. Donna was known for her love of fishing, flowers, Kenny Chesney music, hummingbirds, and her dogs, Lucy, Duke, Dixie, Pookie and Bud. Dixie was by her side during her treatments and often was seen to awaken her when she needed to wake up for treatments. Bud was a leader dog in his own way, often using his talents to assist Donna in her walking outside from place to place. Known to many as their hero and an inspiration, Donna bravely faced many challenges for 14 years. She was someone who enjoyed a good laugh and often provided that good laugh, with dry humor. She coped with her limitations but always put her family first in every instance. She was home for her grandkids with snacks when they got off the bus, even if it was going to spoil their evening meal. She read to them and helped them with homework every way she could, offering encouragement to finish their projects. She enjoyed her mini goats, even took one on a dog leash to the Washington County Fair Pet Show just to show it off. Once her Uncle Melvin tricked her into planting a Huisache tree just to see her laugh. Her indominatible spirit was evident in her use of her broom, often seen removing a bob cat from her garage, chasing deer out of her garden and her brother-in-law if he was misbehaving.
She was often heard saying “ It is what It Is’, “ I’m Just Fine’, “Put on your big girl panties and deal with it” and “Wait till your dad gets home”.
Survivors include her husband of 42 years Billy Ray Jensen; sons and daughter-in-law, Jon & Lindsey Jensen and Larry Jensen; mother Elizabeth Betty Bright Haltmar; sisters Beverly Condrey and Pinney Kettler; brother Joe and Betty Haltmar; grandchildren Haylie, Emily, Jaxon, McKenzie, and Brantley; sister- in- law and brothers- in- laws Linda Jensen Oberhoff, Mark and Carol Jensen and Robert Jensen; nephews Clay Condrey and wife Elizabeth, Kyle Condrey and Jessica Grier, Chad Kettler, William Kettler and wife Flor, Josh Kettler and Emily Parker, Cody Haltmar, Chase Haltmar, Jared Jensen and wife Brooke, Zachary Jensen and wife LeAnn, Todd Jensen; niece Thresia Schlabach and husband Keith; as well as numerous great nephews and great nieces, friends and co-workers.
She was preceded in death by her father: John Bobby Haltmar; brother John Steven Haltmar; maternal grandparents Delphard & Adaline Bright; paternal grandparents John and Willie Haltmar;
brothers- in -law and sisters- in- law Lee Condrey, Thomas Kettler, Suzette Jensen and Bobbie Oberhoff; mother- in- law and father- in- law, Willie Mae and Bennie Jensen.
Special thanks to her faithful caregivers Mary Jacobs, Jeanna Roese, Marjerie Baker, Hospice Brazos Valley of Brenham and Pastor Greg Felder.
Honorary Pallbearers include Patsy Molitor, Debra Kovar, Sandra Schwenke, Karen Voelter, Rola Doelitsch, Pat Spitzer, Susie Houston, Debbie Gaskamp, Karren Ripple, Vikkie Krueger, Paula Baca, Judy Duncan and Druanne Harris.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Friedens Church of Washington, PO Box 306, Washington, TX 77880; Washington Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 46, Washington, TX 77880 or Hospice Brazos Valley- Brenham, 302 E Blue Bell Rd., Brenham, TX 77833.