JENSEN, Leora Anna  1935 – 2014

 

Leora Jensen (1935-2014)

Leora Anna Jensen of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully on April 13th, 2014, at the age of 78 years.

Leora was born on May 15, 1935 in Champion, Alberta to Robert and Anna Maxwell.  She joined her older sister, Audrey.  Leora’s love of Champion started at a young age, as she enjoyed riding her bike around town and all of the adventures that would ensue!

After graduating high school, Leora moved to Calgary for secretary school working for two years to save money for a trip of a lifetime—three months to Europe in the spring of 1958.  She still spoke of this trip often in later years—travelling by herself to New York, taking a ship across to England (while helping a stowaway get off the ship!) and all of the sites she saw once there.  Another treasured memory was visiting Norway with her mother-in-law to reconnect with family roots.

Mom met the love of her life, Roger Jensen after his family moved to Champion from California.  He waited until she was back from Europe and they were married in November 1958.  They had three daughters—Tracy, Nancy and Jennifer.  Roger and Leora participated in the IAEA program and she always said that the boys who came over were the sons they never had! Their family loved the outdoors, whether it was working on the farm, riding horses, camping, or going on road trips to Alaska, California, and Illinois.  They enjoyed attending Lions Club functions and shared a love of sports and animals.

After the loss of Roger in 1980, she remained on the family farm south of Champion.  Leora was blessed with six grandchildren to keep her busy!  She took great joy in each of them, taking them to parks for bike rides, camping, attending school events and being their biggest cheerleader at their sporting events.   Grandma always had a project when the grandkids came over—crafts, collecting bottles, or putting on a play.  Mom was an avid gardener spending autumns preserving cases of fruit or quarts of pickles and homemade jams. Christmas would not have been the same without Grandma’s famous fudge and homemade ice cream. She was very involved in church life and made that a priority for her family.  A deeply spiritual woman who spent many hours in prayer, sharing the Lord with all around her.

In 2005, Leora moved to Lethbridge, Alberta where she met many new friends at West Highlands Estates and thru the “On Our Own” group at the Lethbridge Senior’s Centre. As her mobility decreased, she loved visiting on the phone with her friends as well as keeping up with current events and all her televised sporting events.
In her later years she enjoyed the addition of her three great grandchildren to her growing family.  She adored spending time with them – watching them grow!
Leora was predeceased by her husband, Roger, infant daughter – Jennifer, her parents, mother & father in law – Bill & Velma Jensen, sister & brother in law – Audrey & Ron McGrail and nephew, Michael McGrail.  She is survived by her daughters, Tracy (David) Munro, their children, Pamela (Aaron) Matlock, great granddaughters—Andie and Blayne Matlock, Chad (Katrina) Munro, great grandson Sam Munro, Heather (Travis) Warren; Nancy (Randy) Williams, their children, Justina (Jason) Sherstabetoff, Ryan (Karen) Williams and Michael Williams. She is also survived by her nephew Jeffrey McGrail and niece Robyn Sierchio.

She will be greatly missed by all her friends and family.

Celebration of Life was held Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 1:30 pm at University Drive Alliance Church (55 Columbia Blvd West, Lethbridge, AB), Pastor David Sarsons officiating. Interment in Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge, has already taken place.

Tributes in Leora’s memory may be made to the Champion Lions Club, Box 179, Champion, AB T0L 0R0.

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home.  Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.

JENSEN, Leora Anna 1935 – 2014
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11 thoughts on “JENSEN, Leora Anna 1935 – 2014

  • April 23, 2014 at 12:24 pm
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    Dear Tracy, Nancy and Families
    I was very sorry to read of your Mom’s passing. She was a warm, intelligent lady with whom I had some fun and interesting political discussions. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
    Cathy Auch

    Reply
  • April 22, 2014 at 5:22 pm
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    No one can ever prepare for this day.
    We are very sorry to hear that your beautiful mother has passed away
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
    Christine David Sealock

    Reply
  • April 22, 2014 at 2:37 pm
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    Dear Tracy, Nancy and families,

    So sorry for your loss.
    Your mom was a wonderful lady, she made all of us girls smile and laugh with her great advice and opinions.
    I had wonderful visits with your mom will truly miss her, we always had a good laugh.
    She spoke with great pride of her family and how she dearly loved you all.

    Sincerely,
    Angie Huculak

    Reply
  • April 22, 2014 at 1:28 pm
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    Dear Tracy, Nancy & Family.

    We are so sorry to hear of your Mom´s passing. Our hearts go out to you all of your family. I will forever have a special place in my heart for Leora and Roger, who took care of me when I was a trainee at their farm south of Champion. Leore was a warm-hearted person I always will miss. Thank you so much for everything you and your family have given me.

    May God bless you all. Our love and sympathy.

    Lars & Inga Bylund, Denmark

    Reply
  • April 22, 2014 at 9:58 am
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    We are so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Our thoughts are with you. Glen @ Helen.

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  • April 21, 2014 at 6:51 pm
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    Tracy, Dave and Family,
    So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was a very nice lady and will be greatly missed by all.

    Sincerely,
    Ron Deitz

    Reply
  • April 21, 2014 at 8:21 am
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    Tracy, Nancy and families,

    So sorry to hear of your Mom’s and Grama’s passing.
    Thinking of you all !

    most sincerely,

    Mike and Monica

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  • April 20, 2014 at 6:56 pm
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    Dear Tracy, Nancy & families
    So sorry to hear of your dearest mom’s passing. Our hearts go out to you and all of your family. Your mom had a very gentle nature and caring heart.
    Our love and sympathy
    Helen & Jim Saunderson

    Reply
  • April 20, 2014 at 12:45 pm
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    We are very sorry to hear of your moms passing. She was a great and loving person who will be missed by all.

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  • April 16, 2014 at 1:36 pm
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    Your Mom was a lovely, godly lady. So remember in the Victory church so many years ago. Love to you all.

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  • April 16, 2014 at 9:18 am
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    Dear Tracy and Dave,

    As I looked at your mother’s picture this morning the following hymn immediately came to mind…
    “What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see,
    and I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace; When He takes me by the hand,
    and leads me through the Promised Land, what a day, glorious day that will be”…Indeed!
    Continued prayers for the Lord to comfort and uphold you as only He can…all our love, your friends ~Robert & Hazel~

    Reply

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