Kathleen Sue Jensen

Kathleen Susan (Rhiley) Jensen passed away at her home near Oshkosh, Nebraska, on November 15, 2020, one month before her 75th birthday.

Sue was born on December 15, 1945, in Richmond, California. Her parents, King and Norma Rhiley, moved the family to Oshkosh in 1948, where she attended elementary and high school, graduating in 1964. She attended Kearney State College.

Sue married her high school sweetheart, Richard H. Jensen, in 1966. In high school, they often had dates at the Silver Hill Theatre, where Rick worked in the projection booth. After Rick graduated from UNL, he taught school in Lincoln for two years, then they moved to Sidney, Nebraska, where he taught for one year. When their daughter, Jill, was born, they moved back to Lincoln so Rick could complete his law degree. They established a practice on Main Street in Oshkosh, which they ran together for 46 years. Sue was the legal secretary for the practice. Their son, Rick Jr., was born in Oshkosh in 1976.

Sue’s greatest joy was her family, and she was so thrilled with the birth of her granddaughter, Athena. She sent hundreds of cards every year, never forgetting a birthday or graduation or wedding. Sue was an avid reader. She also enjoyed playing Scrabble and bridge, and she belonged to a local bridge club for decades. She was a lifelong member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

Sue and Rick traveled to the great cities of Europe and the United States, often to visit relatives and friends. She especially loved Paris and said she felt right at home there. She also loved visiting her sisters in Los Angeles, riding along with King and Norma on Route 66.

She rejoins King and Norma and her in-laws, Howard and Doreen Jensen, as well as her grandparents, H.E. and Thelma Wyatt and King and Bertha Rhiley. A niece, Cyndi Rhiley Cotterell, welcomes her on her journey.

Sue is survived by her loving husband, Rick, daughter Jill Amack, son Rick Jr., and granddaughter Athena Jensen.

Her brothers and sisters mourn her passing: Lee Salmonson, Northridge, CA; King and Barbara Rhiley, Wichita, KS; Joe and Kathy Rhiley, Wichita, KS; and Patricia Young, Oshkosh. As does her brother-in-law, Dr. Tim Jensen, and sister-in-law, Jean Jensen, of Lewellen.

Aunts and uncles are Shirley and Tom Sullivan, Oshkosh; Carole Rhiley, Wichita, KS; Karen Rhiley, Lincoln, NE; and Robert and Shirley Rhiley, Ogallala, NE.

Her nieces and nephews are King Rhiley IV, Lisa and Mike Moody, James Rhiley, Chris Rhiley, Vanessa and Michael Minkoff, Nathan Young, Anthony Young, Mikel and Kim Parton, Hal and Annie Young, Martina Young, Rienna Young, Anna Jensen, Van and Amy Jensen, and Elisa Jensen.

She also leaves behind many cousins from the Sullivan, McHatton, Whiting, Wyatt, and Rhiley families, as well as many lifelong friends.

Cremation has already taken place. A life remembrance celebration is planned for spring or summer 2021. Memorials may be sent in Sue’s name for the Oshkosh Public Library to: Rick Jensen, PO Box 75, Oshkosh, NE 69154.