LaDonna Irene Jensen

July 24, 1943 - December 19, 2020

RICHMOND, Ind. – LaDonna Irene Jensen (née Wrattten), age 77, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Reid Health. Born July 24, 1943, in Washington, Indiana, to Orville and Elizabeth White Wratten, LaDonna moved to Richmond in 1950. A 1961 graduate of Richmond High School, she earned a nursing degree from Ball State University in 1964. While working at the hospital at Wright Patterson AFB, LaDonna met her future husband and love of her life, Jerry Jensen. They married in 1967 and lived in Michigan, Ohio, and California before settling in Richmond in 1976. They were an amazing team for more than 50 years. Deeply involved in such local organizations as Tuesday Aftermath, the Richmond Art Museum Association, Rose City Investment Club, and First English Lutheran Church, LaDonna spearheaded more projects and programs than anyone will ever know. After graduating from Leadership Wayne County, in 1988, LaDonna identified a real need in the community and founded the Adult Day Care of Richmond with Beverly Garnet. With colleague Marilyn Hartle, she went on to form Jentle Harts in 1998, a consulting group focusing on elder care and dementia care. Her work took her all over the United States and the world, spreading knowledge about person centered care and dementia care mapping in such countries as England, Denmark, Japan, and Singapore. LaDonna presented at countless conferences and amassed numerous professional honors and awards, which she was too modest to catalog. She touched the lives of countless people, but her family was always first in her heart. LaDonna also enjoyed traveling, playing cards, shopping, reading, solving crossword puzzles, and any activity involving her grandchildren. LaDonna is survived by her husband, Jerry; daughters, Julia (Jay Smith) Jensen and Janell (Steve Sizelove) Jensen, both of Richmond; four very special and precious grandchildren; brother, Tom (Julia) Wratten of Naples, Florida; extended family members, including her beloved dog, Coconut; and many friends, who were like family to her. She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Sarah, who died in 1973. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, we regret to inform you that services for LaDonna Irene Jensen will be private with Pastor John Walker officiating. The service was NOT recorded by the funeral home and will not be available on the Doan & Mills Funeral Home website. Burial will be in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. A celebration of LaDonna’s life will be held in the future when the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Arrangements are being handled by Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Memorial contributions may be made to: Hand-in-Hand Adult Day Care of Richmond, 2727 East Main Street, Richmond, IN 47374 or Alzheimer's Association, 50 East 91st Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.