Juanita (Nita) Mae Jensen Aldridge passed away on April 3, 2016, at the Episcopal Church Home in Louisville, Kentucky, with her four daughters surrounding her. She was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, on July 7, 1927. After growing up in Albert Lea, she attended William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, where she met Dale Arthur Aldridge, who became her husband and best friend until his death in 1997.
Nita deeply loved her family, her church, and her many friends and neighbors. She taught the second grade Sunday School class at Crescent Hill (American) Baptist Church and volunteered in the gift shop at Baptist East hospital for many years. She also volunteered at the Eline/St. Matthews branch of the public library system and, always an avid reader, checked out a stack of books every week. She loved U of L basketball and wrote letters of encouragement to the players. She raised roses and iris and and tended raspberry bushes in her backyard. She was a committed Christian to whom fairness and equality and inclusion were highly important.
Nita is survived by her sister, Louise Peterson (Myrl), of Friendswood, Tx., her brother Ralph Jensen (Mary), of Minneapolis, Mn., her daughters, Patti Aldridge (Jay Schroyer), of Paint Lick, Ky., Joy Henry (Steve), of Louisville, Ky., Judy Fehr, of Kettering, Ohio, and Linda Stroupe (Edward "Mac" McElwee), of Greensboro, N.C., her grandchildren, Mark Edward Stroupe (Elizabeth), Amy Elizabeth Jennings (Bradley), Elizabeth Shannon Fehr, Tracy Danielle Fehr Sardone (Michael), Jennifer Whitney Fehr, Casey Marie Henry, and Laura Katherine Henry. Her great-grandchildren are Audrey, Aiden, and Ashton Jennings, and Lily and Blake Stroupe. She was preceded in death by her parents, Irene Coonrod Jensen and Peter Woldemar Jensen, and her grandson Carter McElwee Stroupe.
Dedicated nurses, aides, and other caregivers ministered to Nita at Westport Place and then at the Episcopal Church Home during the last five months of her life. She received excellent care from Dr. Albert Olash, Jr., and Dr. Jane Cornett. Angie Drury was an especially loving friend and supportive companion treasured by both the family and Nita.
Visitation will be held at Crescent Hill Baptist Church at 2800 Frankfort Ave., from 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday, April 9, immediately followed by the memorial service in the Chapel. Nita will be buried beside Dale at Cave Hill Cemetery. Heady Cralle Funeral Home on Frankfort Avenue is assisting the family with arrangements. Nita requested that memorial contributions be made to Crescent Hill Baptist Church - a truly welcoming church, or to the non-profit organization
of one's choice.
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