Ruby Jean (Hendrickson) Jensen (1927-2010)

Ruby Jean Jensen formerly Hendrickson

Born 1927 in McDonald County, Missouri

Ancestors

Daughter of James Oscar Hendrickson and Gretchen Edra Schell

[sibling(s) unknown]

Wife of Vaughn Leroy Jensen — married 1941 in Reno, Washoe, Nevada, United States

[children unknown]

Died 2010 at about age 83 in Fayetteville, Washington, Arkansas

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Profile last modified 29 Aug 2023 | Created 26 Apr 2018

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Biography

AMERICAN HORROR AUTHOR -- RUBY JEAN JENSEN

WEBSITE: rubyjeanjensen.com PRINT & EBOOKS available

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/RJJhorror/

WIKIPEDIA ARTICLE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Jean_Jensen

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT: Benton County Herald, March 3, 1927, Pea Ridge News - Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Hendrickson announce the birth of a daughter. :Ruby was born on March 1, 1927 at home on Whittenburg Ridge in McDonald County, Missouri. Dr. Greene from Pea Ridge was in attendance.Ruby was the first and only surviving child of James Oscar Hendrickson and Gretchen (Schell) Hendrickson. When Ruby was five, she started first grade, and she walked about a quarter of a mile to the one-room Whittenburg School. The school was built about 1909, and was the first Standard School in McDonald County. In 1934 a photo was taken of the students, teacher, and exterior of Whittenburg School. In second grade, she attended Bear Hollow School, when her family moved in Bear Hollow. Ruby moved with her family to California when she was about eight years old. It had become difficult to make a living in Missouri because of the drought and the economic depression, and they moved to California to try to find work. Ruby loved to read and while still a child she began to write stories. She wrote an entire novel when she was eleven. She reread it after she wrote it and was disappointed so she burned it in the stove. She often said in later years that she wished she had kept it.

In 1941, Vaughn and Ruby were married in Reno, Nevada. They hoped their marriage would keep Vaughn from being sent overseas. Vaughn and Ruby lived in several places while he was in the army: Harrisburg. Pennsylvania; Fort Polk, Louisiana; California; and Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Vaughn was sent overseas during World War II, and was captured and held as a German prisoner of war for several months. During this time, he was categorized first as "missing in action", and then "presumed dead". After the war, Ruby and Vaughn lived in Nebraska, and Vaughn farmed. Vaughn and Ruby lived in Wheaton, Missouri in 1955 when they adopted their daughter, Gayle. The adoption was privately arranged by family members, and the final adoption was completed in Nebraska.

NEOSHO DAILY NEWS, Nov. 2, 1956, Simsberry News - Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn Jensen and daughter visited Mr. and Mrs. Bill Brassfield Monday night. They are returning to Nebraska after spending their vacation here. -----

About 1957. the Jensen family moved back to SW Missouri/NW Arkansas area. :In 1960, Vaughn and Ruby bought their home north of Rogers Arkansas and they lived there the rest of their lives. The legal description: The north half of the northeast quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 18, Township 20, North of Range 20 West containing 20 acres more or less. The house was small, but they remodeled and more than doubled the size while they lived there. They sold approximately 10 acres to Keith Jensen, brother to Vaughn sometime in the 1970s. About 1990 they sold the original house and an acre to Gretchen Laughlin, Ruby's mother. The left them with 9-10 acres and they built a new house on this parcel of land.

OBITUARY: Ruby Jean Jensen left this earthly world on November 16, 2010. She was born in McDonald County, Missouri on March 1, 1927, to James Oscar and Gretchen E. (Schell) Hendrickson. She spent her early years in Missouri, and then moved with her family to Northern California. There she met her husband, Vaughn Jensen. Ruby and Vaughn were married for over 50 years. They moved to the Rogers, Arkansas area in the late 1950s. Vaughn preceded her in death in 1999. Ruby continued to live at their home north of Rogers, until recently when her health forced her to move. Ruby's chosen profession was that of an author. Her passion for writing developed at an early age, and she worked for many years to develop her writing skills. After publishing several short stories, she published a novel in 1974. She became a professional author, was represented by a Literary Agent from New York, and sold over 30 novels to several New York publishing houses. For many years she was involved with creative writing groups. She often took the time to reply to fan mail and encourage young authors. Survivors include her (adopted) daughter and son-in-law, Gayle and Ron Foster of Fayetteville; two grandsons; extended family and friends. Final arrangements are being handled by Sisco Funeral Home of Pea Ridge. Public Visitation will be 3:30 to 6 on Friday, November 19, 2010. Burial at Pea Ridge Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Red Cross. -- A longer biography was prepared for her service.