Bethany Reformed Church
705 Cajon Street, Redlands CA  92373  (909)793-1966

  Getting to Know… 

Jennie Jensma

Jennie Kroese Jensma is a dear old friend, as was her husband Al.  They were among the first to make me feel very welcome at Bethany 35 years ago.  I am so delighted to have the opportunity, after all these years, to find out some very interesting things about her.  You can come along and listen if you like…. 

Jennie was born in the Netherlands and came to Minnesota with her family when she was four years old.  Her father was a carpenter.  Jennie was involved with 4H and that is where she learned to sew.   She still enjoys needlework, crocheting, and sewing.  Now that she has had cataract surgery, she will be able to resume her interests.  

They moved to California, with the recommendation of a dear friend, Pastor Leon’s great aunt, when she was a young women and her family owned a boarding house.  It was when a very handsome man came to board at their house that her heart was captured.  Al worked for her father, also as a carpenter, and in 1940 they were wed.  

In due time along came the little ones:  first Jim (who lives in Redlands), then Louis (who lives in Laguna Nigel), Karen (whose home is in Mission Viejo) and finally Ihla (who calls Boulder City, NV home).  

Jennie was a Mom first and foremost but once the kids were in school, she also held a variety of jobs over the years.  She worked at VandeKamp Bakery in Riverside for some time and also at the S&H Green Stamp center in the old Harris building for many years.  (Now, how many of you remember that the antique store in downtown Redlands was Harris’?) 

Al and Jennie owned a home in Riverside where they were busy raising their children when the state came along and said they wanted their land to build a freeway through.  So the state paid them for it and they moved to Redlands where they bought another home and proceeded to live very happily until, are you ready for this, the state came along and said they wanted to buy their land so they could put a freeway through!!!  We’re very happy they decided to stay in Redlands because that is when they started attending Bethany.  

Both Jennie and Al, who were married for 57 years, were very involved at Bethany.  Jennie held many offices in the ladies mission group (Circle), she taught Sunday School, was in the choir, in the Redlands Christian Home Auxiliary, helped in the kitchen for 40 funerals, and is currently on the prayer chain.  Al was on Consistory and also helped in various other positions.  (Al also had a hobby that he loved … playing pool.  And I know this because I played pool with him a few times way back when I was very new to California.  He was good, very good, but I think he let me win a couple of times.) 

As their children grew up, left home, and married, they were blessed with six grandchildren that in turn have blessed her with eight great-grandchildren.  Which makes Jennie very proud.  

I asked Jennie if she has learned anything in her Christian education that might help others and she replied that you should try to stay with your resolve, keep your faith, and don’t give up, even when you’re in the minority.  Wise words, especially for young people who are tempted by so many things in their day-to-day world.  Her favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:28  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”   

Jennie wants others to know that she loves people and likes to meet new ones.  Her message to you, her Bethany family, is that she loves and misses you all and she is sorry that she can’t get to know the new people as well as she would like to.

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