Sunday, December 18, 2011

Grandma Jensen

On December 10, 2011 my grandma, Jessie Andersen, Jensen passed away. Her funeral was held on December 17. Ever since my grandpa passed about 4 years ago she had been longing to be with him again. I'm sure they are having a big party up in heaven now, along with 2 of their sons that preceded them in death. We will miss grandma and our weekly Sunday gatherings at her house, swimming in her pool in the summers, and watching the 4th of July fireworks with her from her balcony. Love you grandma!


OBITUARY:

Jessie Anderson Jensen
(October 15, 1928 - December 10, 2011) 



St. George, Utah - Jessie Anderson Jensen peacefully passed away December 10, 2011, at the age of 83, of natural causes. Jessie was born October 15, 1928 in St. George, Utah, the youngest of eight children born to Hans and Ellen McArthur Anderson. Jessie’s mother was the youngest child and Jessie was the youngest grandchild of the late Daniel D. McArthur who was one of the first settlers of St. George. Jessie was always proud of her heritage and loved Utah’s Dixie where she spent her entire life. She graduated from Woodward Jr. High, Dixie High School and Dixie Jr. College where she excelled in sports, dancing and music. While at Dixie College, she served as secretary to several of the teachers. After graduation from college, she worked at the Farmer’s Home Adminstration for two years. Jessie married Richard Ernest Jensen in the St. George LDS Temple June 15, 1950 after Richard returned from a 32 month LDS Mission to Argentina. Their goal in life was to raise a righteous family and always serve. With the exception of a young son, "Scotty" who passed at the age of three, all of their children served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as have all their grandsons and some granddaughters. Jessie had a firm testimony of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and was always in the service of her Heavenly Father. She served in Young Women, Primary, Sunday School, and Stake Librarian where she was instrumental in setting up the first stake library in the St. George Stake Center. She served two times as ward Relief Society President as well as 9 years as the St. George Stake Relief Society President. While Stake Relief Society President, she helped establish the first church distribution center in St. George. She served 23 years in the St. George LDS Temple as an ordinance worker, special administrative assistant to three Temple matrons, and special assistant to three president’s secretaries. Besides her family, temple work was her greatest love. Jessie also served in the community as one of the original Pink Ladies at Dixie Memorial Hospital. She was on the original Board of the Southwest Symphony serving for 10 years. She also sang with the singing group, The Keytones, for over 20 years. Jessie was always a faithful companion to her husband and served alongside him operating several business in St. George, the last being the Lamplighter Inn and Southern Trailer Park (where Smith’s Food is now located) where they raised their five children. Jessie and Richard were very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel throughout the world as well as many church history sites. One of their most memorable travels was the opportunity to sing in the choir at the Orson Hyde Memorial Peace Gardens in Jerusalem when it was dedicated by President Spencer W. Kimball. The Jensen home was always the fun place to be, especially on Sunday evenings when all their family gathered together and as they did to celebrate birthdays, holidays and summer swim parties. Their family was always their greatest joy and they will all miss being with her at her home. Her dear Richard passed away in 2007 after 57 ½ years of marriage. Jessie’s greatest wish was to once again be reunited with him and their two sons who preceded her in death, Richard Scott Jensen and Perry Lynn Jensen. Jessie is survived by her children: Jerry (DeeAnn) Jensen of Santa Clara, Linda (David) Terry of St. George, Stephen (Clarene) Jensen of Camp Verde, AZ and daughter-in-law, Tammie (the late Perry) Jensen of St. George; a sister, Sybill Brown of Henderson, NV; a brother-in-law, Robert (Betty) Jensen of Hurricane; 25 grandchildren; 21 ½ great-grandchildren.; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. George LDS Stake Center, 500 North Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Saturday, prior to services, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Stake Center. Interment will follow at the St. George City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.

1 comment:

Angie said...

Sounds like a wonderful lady! No wonder you are so amazing with a grandma like that!