Diann Jensen

Diann Jensen, age 86, of Hampton passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at Westfield Quality Care. 
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, September 27, 2025   at the United Methodist Church in Aurora.   Rev. Michelle Reed will officiate. Interment will be at the Richland Cemetery at 1 p.m. Saturday. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary. Memorials may be made to the family which will be directed toward music related opportunities for youth. Condolences may be made to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com. The service will be livestreamed on the church’s website. Please go to www.umcaurora.org, scroll down and click on livestream.
Erna Diann Jensen, the daughter of Richard C. and Irma (Fehlhafer) Bristol was born in York, on January 15, 1939 and passed away in Aurora, on September 23, 2025 at the age of 86. 
Diann grew up on the farm and attended a one room school then later Aurora HS.   While in high school, she was the editor to the school newspaper, enjoyed accompanying vocal groups and playing in the band. That was when she met Earl, her lifetime sweetheart. Diann graduated in 1956 and continued her education at Lincoln General Nursing School until 1959. 
Diann married Earl Jensen on March 19, 1958 at Aurora. They joined Richard Bristol, and Vaughn Berck to form Bristol Family Farms. She especially enjoyed helping with the farrow to finish hog operation and the cow/calf herd.   Diann and Earl enjoyed raising five children, Catherine, Terry, Lisa, Dan and Marna.   
Diann was always an active member of the United Methodist Church where she began playing organ/piano at the age of 13. She played for weddings, family events, nursing homes,   choirs and at area churches for over 65 years. Diann and Earl served as youth group leaders from 1973-1976. Diann was especially proud of the church hand bell choir that she was instrumental in establishing and directing in 1993 which continues to play today. 
Diann’s nursing career was only interrupted briefly by raising her children. She loved helping people and at the pinnacle of her career, she served as Director of Nursing at numerous nursing homes and was elected to the State Board of Nursing. 
In her free time, Diann enjoyed helping with 4-H clubs, gardening, traveling, embroidery, pets, sewing, teaching piano and organ lessons as well as writing letters and books. 
Diann was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother-in-law Vaughn Berck, 
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Earl, her five children, Catherine (Jon) Rahrs of Marquette, Terry (Monty) Scherff of Aurora, Lisa (Lathan) Latimer of Lincoln, Dan (Gwen) Jensen of Gothenburg and Marna Johnson of Hampton; 15 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Beverly Berck of Hampton, Carolyn (Stan) Tanner of Maine, and many other family members and friends.