Verdell May Jensen was born September 9, 1930 to Folmer and Bonnie (Andersen) Jensen in Clay Township. Verdell was baptized and confirmed at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. Verdell attended school at Clay #5 country school. In 1943 her family moved to a farm outside of Kimballton, Iowa. She then attended school in Elk Horn, Iowa and would go on to graduate in the year of 1948. Verdell worked at Twenstrup and Lund in Kimballton in high school. When Verdell graduated, she began working at Shelby County Bank from 1948 until 1951. Verdell married, Vernon “Bob” Hansen on January 28, 1951 at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn. To this union, three children were born: Kevin, Kent and Karel. The family made their home on a farm east of Hamlin. In 1956, Bob and Verdell moved their family to the Hansen family farm in Jacksonville. When returning back to the area, Verdell returned back Shelby County Bank as a part time teller and worked there until she retired in 2010 at 80 years of age. Verdell and Bob had a farm sale in March 1993. They then moved to Harlan.
Verdell was a lifetime member of the Elk Horn Lutheran Church and was very active in the church. She was a Sunday school teacher, taught bible school and was a part of the women’s circle. Verdell helped quite a bit on the farm. She helped to raise the cattle and hogs, drive the tractor, walk the beans, and mow. Verdell was active on the PTA and was president of the band boosters. In addition, Verdell also worked as a CNA at Salem Lutheran Home for 10 years. She helped as a secretary at the Harlan bowling alley and was a part of the women’s league on Tuesdays. While Verdell and Bob were in Harlan they were both active members of the Senior Center, serving on the council board for many years. She helped to deliver meals on wheels and was an avid follower of her kid’s and grandchildren’s activities. Verdell was also an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan in her later years. Verdell and Bob took many trips with the commanders. Some of their favorite places were Alaska, Hawaii and the Panama Canal.
Verdell passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025 at the age of ninety- five years, two months and twelve days. Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Bob and grandson, Nathan.
Verdell is survived by her children, Kevin (Becky) Hansen of Harlan, Iowa, Kent Hansen (Sheila Gaube) of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Karel (Jerry) Rasmussen of Houston, Texas; her grandchildren, Chris Juelsgaard, Amy Juelsgaard, Melissa Walker, Libby (Justin) Schafer, Zac Rasmussen, Megan Rasmussen (Tim Wei); 12 great-grandchildren; her sister, Veretta Johannsen of Midland, Texas; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for memorials to be directed to Elk Horn Lutheran Church or the Danish Windmill. The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn for all the care given to Verdell.
