Kathryn "Charlene" Jensen

Kathryn “Charlene” Jensen, 81, a resident of Knightstown since she was 3 years old, passed away Saturday, February 3rd, 2024, at her home. She was born October 22nd, 1942, in Haldeman, Kentucky to the late Stella Eva (Egan) and John Henry Butler.

Charlene loved her family most of all. She always taught her children that family is the most important thing. She was one of the 12 Butler kids, from Knightstown. She graduated from Knightstown High School in 1961. She met the great love of her life Paul at Eddie’s Drive-in; they got married in 1963 and then had their 5 children. She enjoyed her flowers around her house and most importantly taking care of all her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. She worked at her sister and brother-in-law’s drive-in Leatha and “Eddie’s Drive-in” in Greenfield as a teenager, Western Electric in Indianapolis, she was self-employed tinting windows, Gas America in Knightstown, and was the director, owner, and a teacher at Noah’s Ark Preschool at the Knightstown Methodist Church for 9 years. She also was always involved in her children’s activities as a Girl Scout Leader, Den Mother, 4-H helper and was always involved in school parent groups/activities. She absolutely loved her preschoolers, and it was her great joy to see them later and see how they were doing. After retirement, she loved babysitting for both her grandchildren and great grandchildren up until the day she passed away. Holding and rocking babies was one of her greatest joys.

Survivors include, her husband of 60 years Paul Jensen, whom she married on March 19th, 1963; her five children, Lora (Tim) Keesling of New Castle, Betsy (Steve) Wilkerson of Knightstown, Joe (Leslie) Jensen of Indianapolis, Sam Jensen of Knightstown, Chérie (Aaron) King of Spiceland; her 8 grandchildren, Heather (Kevin) Cournoyer of Spiceland, Abby (Josh) Roseberry of Dunreith, Rob (Sealy) Keesling of New Castle, Lane Jensen of Indianapolis, Jon (Caitlin) Keesling of Temple, TX, Dan (Ruth) Keesling of Muncie, Emmalee (Fiancé Kristopher Bond) Wilkerson of Knightstown, Lexi Jensen of Indianapolis and 9 soon to be 10 great grandchildren, Wyatt, Lilly, and Lylia Cournoyer, Isaac, Hayden, and Waylyn Roseberry, Mayson Keesling, Oliver and another soon to be great grandson Keesling, and Maylee Bond; two brothers Hayden Butler of Knightstown and Harold (Janet) Butler of Knightstown; brother-in-law, Richard Rawlins of Knightstown and sister-in-law, Joyce Butler of Spiceland; brothers and sisters-in-law: Nancy (Cecil) Turpin Bainbridge, David (Marti) Jensen Indianapolis, Judi Hite of Anderson, Jim (Chris) Jensen of Indianapolis; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her mother and father-in-law, Florence and Melvin Jensen; her brothers, Arnold, Richard, John, Leon, Carl, and Ray Butler; her sisters, Naomi Jackson, Leatha Redmon, Sheila Rawlins; sisters-in-law, Gloria Butler, Patricia Butler, Violet Butler, Kay Butler, Ruth Butler, Lesa Butler; brothers-in-law, Phil Jackson and Eddie Redmon.

Services will be held at 2 PM, Friday, February 9, 2024, at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in Knightstown with Pastor Tony Darling officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, February 8,2024 at the funeral home. You may express condolences or share a memory of Charlene at www.hinsey-brown.com .