Irene Khin Khin Jensen

Mpls - Jensen, Irene Khin Khin of Minneapolis, age 99, passed away July 1, 2025, loved everyday by her family. Born October 31, 1925 in Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar), she grew up in a large, happy family exposed to many cultures and faiths with access to excellent education at English Methodist Girls High School, graduating in 1941. Her higher education studies were interrupted by WWII but after the war Khin Khin graduated from Rangoon University with a BA First Class Honors in History in 1949. She came to the US on a Fulbright Scholarship and in 1951 earned an MA in American History at Bucknell University. Her scholarships allowed her to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she completed her PhD in 1956 in Modern Asian and European History. Married in 1954 to Vern Jensen the couple settled in Minneapolis. From 1959-1994 Khin Khin was a member of the Augsburg University History faculty where she rose to the rank of full professor. During her career she taught more than 20 different courses, was the Director of the East and Southeast Asian program and coordinator of the ACTC East Asian Studies Program. At Augsburg she organized conferences and brought in speakers on Asian History and Asian American topics. She received many teaching awards, including the 2018 Midwest Conference on Asian Affairs Bailey Public Service Award in Asian Studies. Throughout her lifetime Khin Khin gave hundreds of speeches to organizations large and small, locally, in the US, and around the world during her extensive travels. She published articles and served on boards, often in leadership, for many women's organizations and education groups. She provided leadership at all levels for United Methodist Women, taught at UMW Schools of Mission around the country, and from 1988-1996 served as a Director on the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church Women's Division and World Division. She organized educational programs for local groups into her 90's. Khin Khin was gracious and welcoming to everyone. She was deeply grateful for her loving family who survive her; son Donald Jensen (Tanya Hemphill); daughter Maythee Kantar (John); grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Daniel Kantar (wife Brittany & their children Ari James, Aiden Oliver, Avery Rose); Michael Kantar; Elianna Kantar; Dillon Jensen (daughter Esme Morrow); and a large extended family. Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 70 years Vern Jensen and granddaughter Sally Kathleen Kantar. Her ashes will be buried at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis. Funeral services will be held at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church (HAUMC), 511 Groveland Ave., Mpls., August 3, 2025 at 2 pm. Livestream at haumc.org/live. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Augsburg University Library Archives https://bit.ly/KhinKhin , HAUMC or donors favorite charity.

Tributes

Irene Khin Khin Jensen

October 31, 1925 - July 1, 2025

Tributes

Irene Khin Khin Jensen

October 31, 1925 - July 1, 2025

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