May 9, 1941 – December 3, 2024
Jens Clifford Grage, Jr. of Nevada, IA passed away at the Israel Family Hospice Home in Ames, IA on December 3, 2024 surrounded by family.
Jens was born May 9, 1941 on the family farm 6 1/2 miles southeast of Timber Lake to Sylvia and Jens Grage, Sr. He graduated from Timber Lake High School in May of 1959 and earned an Economics Degree from the University of South Dakota in May of 1963. After college Jens returned to the family farm, where he notified the local draft board to call his number so he didn’t have to wait for a couple of months for his number to come up. Jens served in the US Army and was stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA just outside of Washington, DC. In the Army Jens taught soldiers the basics of electricity and to operate generators like those seen in the TV show MASH. During the Army he worked a second job and saw the sights in DC. Jens never returned to Washington with his family but did have the opportunity to take part in one of the Brushy Creek Honor Flights. This was a great honor for him to visit the memorials.
After the Army Jens moved back to South Dakota and starting working for a financial service company. This job led him to Nashville and finally to St. Louis, where he met the love of his life, Nelda Adams. The two were married on October 19, 1967. Shortly afterwards, Jens got transferred to Iowa promising his new wife it would only be a couple of years before returning to the city. Jens and Nelda lived in Iowa for the rest of their lives.
In 1972 Jens and Nelda bought a home in State Center, IA and raised their family there until the youngest went off to college. Jens had the opportunity to join the US Dept. of Agriculture as a federal meat inspector at the pork plant in Ottumwa, IA. He worked there until his retirement. After retirement Jens and Nelda moved to Nevada to be closer to their grandchildren.
Jens and Nelda enjoyed traveling, especially by train. They took a number of trips to the west coast by train and enjoyed meeting new people and seeing the country as they traveled. The also went to Hawaii, England, and France and took several trips to North Carolina with friends. They loved the water and walking the beach searching for sea shells.
Jens is survived by his children, Tony (Vicky) Grage of Paragould, AR, and Traci (Wes) Hubbard and Thomas Grage of Nevada; grandchildren Alex (Lili) Pruckler of Nevada and Asia (Tim) Olson of Clive, IA; two greatgrandchildren, Emma and Brinley Olson; two sisters, Annette Gugel of Watertown and Jane (Marv) Ristau of Aberdeen.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Nelda; his parents Sylvia and Jens Sr.; two brothers, Ted and Rudy Sprouse; a sister Darlene and a grandchild, Brett Grage.
A memorial service was held December 7, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in State Center.
Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.