Kaitlin R. Jensen

Obituary

Kaitlin Renae Jensen was born on June 17, 1995, in Hutchinson, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Antony “Tony” and Denise (Rodacker) Jensen. Kaitlin was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in her faith as a youth, both at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. She received her education in Hutchinson and was a graduate of the Hutchinson High School class of 2013. Kaitlin furthered her education at Dakota Co. Technical College on a softball scholarship.

Kaitlin resided in Hutchinson. She began working for Divine House in Hutchinson, caring for special needs adults. She then took positions at Woodstone Senior Living Center and at Prairie Senior Cottages, both in Hutchinson, caring for memory care residents. She also briefly worked for River Oaks in Hutchinson, where she realized her passion was truly in memory care nursing. She continued that passion when an opportunity to work as a TMA/CNA was offered to her at Cedar Crest Estates in Silver Lake. When the pandemic caused nursing homes to ban in-person visits, she could not bear to see the effect and decline in her residents and she took on administrative positions with Adara Home Health; first as the staffing manager and later as the authorization specialist. As the pandemic restrictions eased, she knew she needed to get back to where her heart and passion were; directly caring for dementia and Alzheimer’s residents. She accepted a CNA position at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, working mostly in the memory care unit, where she continued to work until her health affected her ability. Kaitlin cared for all her residents like they were her family.

In her younger years, Kaitlin was active in dance, softball and swimming. She was fiercely competitive, probably due to being the youngest of five children and having only older brothers. She loved playing video games with her friends and family, watching and participating in sports and learning about Korean culture. She especially cherished time spent with her family and friends. She also loved animals. She especially loved her dog, Macey, and had a special fondness for sloths and Highland cows. Kaitlin loved all things Christmas. It was her favorite season and she would play Christmas music all year round.

Kaitlin passed away peacefully, after a short, but brave battle with aggressive ovarian cancer, surrounded by her family on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota, at the age of 29 years, 5 months and 9 days.

Blessed be her memory.

Kaitlin is survived by her:
Mother, Denise Jensen of Hutchinson, MN;
Brothers, Ryan Jensen of Woodbury, MN,
Nathan Jensen and his wife, Rebecca of Monroe, NC,
Aric Jensen and his wife, Elena of Hutchinson, MN,
Gregg Jensen and his wife, Nicole of Hutchinson, MN;
Nieces and Nephews, Freya Jensen, Odin Jensen, Charlotte Jensen, Asher Jensen, Alistair Jensen, Sasha Jensen, Seraphina Jensen, Tim Volkov and Julian Volkov;
Grandmother, Marilyn Rodacker of Harlan, IA;
Aunts and Uncles, Patricia Lange of Sibley, IA,
Diane Jensen of Sibley, IA,
Jay Rodacker of Harlan, IA,
Jon Rodacker and his friend, Jeanne of Harlan, IA;
Cousins, Daniel (April) Lange, Jennifer (Chris) Runge, Elizabeth (Andrew) Sims, Christian (Kimberly) Lange;
Many other relatives and friends.

Kaitlin is preceded in death by her Father, Antony “Tony” Jensen; Grandparents, Maynard and Rose Marie Jensen, Vernon Rodacker; Uncles, Tim Lange and Carl Jensen and both sets of maternal and paternal Great grandparents.

The family of Kaitlin Jensen would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and kindness in this time of sorrow. Our wish is that you would take the all the love, kindness, light and joy you received from Kaitlin and spread it to others, so they may experience that as well. God Bless.