Jenna Sue Brownell

Jenna Sue (Jurgensen) Brownell, 74, of Clive, Iowa, passed away on January 27, 2026, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. A Celebration of Jenna's Life will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines. The service will be available via live stream at https://wdm.lutheranchurchofhope.org/funeral-livestream/. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel, 801 19th Street, West Des Moines. Memorial contributions may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association of Iowa in Jenna’s honor found under the DONATE option of their website.

Jenna was born on March 5, 1951, and she was adopted by the late Stanley and Ione Jurgensen in what can be described as divine providence. They carried her wrapped in blankets like spun gold to their Beaverdale home where she grew up and attended Monroe Elementary, Franklin Junior High, and Des Moines North High School, graduating in 1969.

She continued her studies at the University of Northern Iowa, majoring in French and joining Gamma Phi Beta sorority, where she made lifelong friends. At UNI, Jenna met Robert Brownell of Cedar Rapids. They were engaged after three months of dating and married on August 21, 1971, a marriage that lasted nearly 55 years. They weren't perfect, but they were perfect together. She was deeply devoted to Bob throughout their marriage providing him with steady balance, quiet counsel, necessary organization, and a steadfast source of love and support.

On July 17, 1979, Jenna became a mother by giving birth to their son, Kevin. That same morning, Bob closed on their new house in Clive which became their family home and their community for over forty years. Jenna was a dedicated mother active in Kevin’s school and activities providing support, guidance, and nurture. She was actively engaged at every event, game, or meet of Kevin’s.

She took great joy in embracing Kevin’s wife, Maria, into the family, offering her the same love and support as Kevin. She received her greatest happiness with her grandchildren Carmen and Oscar, who loved their grandmother beyond measure. She loved having her grandchildren over to the family home after their school day or on days off. She enjoyed experiences with them including picking strawberries and making homemade strawberry ice cream, playing checkers, and going to playgrounds in Clive’s parks.

Jenna's love was boundless and unconditional, from her brother Dean to her entire extended family including her cousins and in-laws who were also her dear friends to all the nieces and nephews and their children. She enjoyed family gatherings to celebrate holidays and family events. She was an amazing chef and she especially loved cooking feasts for Thanksgiving and Christmas family dinners. She loved to travel with family including her cherished annual trips to Lake of the Ozarks (beginning in her childhood with her aunts, uncles, and cousins) and regular trips to Maui and Arizona. She also loved animals, especially her three Siberian Huskies – Kiska, Nikolayva, and Kieralova.

Jenna served her community throughout her life. She was an active church member at Westminster Presbyterian Church and Lutheran Church of Hope; served on the Clive Community Foundation Board of Directors; provided tax assistance to those in need through United Way; worked for the State of Iowa Legislature as a legislative aide; and volunteered at Methodist Hospital. Moreover, Jenna was a proud member of PEO's Chapter MS in Des Moines for 39 years, treasuring her sisterhood.

Jenna is survived by her husband, Robert Brownell; son Kevin Brownell and his wife Maria; grandchildren Carmen and Oscar Brownell; brother Dean Jurgensen; sister-in-law Barbara Shoemaker and her husband Kevin; brother-in-law Mark Brownell and his wife Kim; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and her PEO sisters of the MS Chapter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Ione, all her aunts, uncles, and cousins who'd gone before; Jim and Dona, her beloved in-laws; and many of her PEO sisters.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate care teams at Arbor Springs in West Des Moines, Iowa and Suncrest Hospice for the exceptional care, comfort, and kindness shown to Jenna and her family.