MARGARET "Marnie" JENSEN

Marnie Jensen was born on September 27, 1919, to W. E. "Ed" and Clarice Roberts in Bakersfield, CA, while her parents were working in the Kern County oil fields. She passed peacefully on Monday, July 2, 2018, in Fresno, CA, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Marnie moved to Fresno as a child in the 1920s, when her parents began farming in the Fig Garden area. She graduated from Fresno High School in 1937, and attended Fresno State College. There she met and fell in love with her future husband, Rodger Jensen. Three weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, they married for life. While Rodger was in training, she traveled to be near him, even after their son, Douglas, was born in 1943. They both welcomed Rodger home after the end of World War II. The family was complete when their daughter, Marjorie, was born in 1947. Margaret was devoted to her family. She always asked how "the kids" were doing. regardless of their age or generation. She also valued her friends in the Bridge Club, which was formed during the war years and continues still. Marnie was a life member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. California State University, Fresno awarded Margaret and Rodger honorary doctorates in recognition of their support for their school. The Ag One Foundation, the Jordan College of Agricultural Science and Technology, and the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation recognized Margaret's involvement in local agriculture by presenting to her their "Common Threads" award. She was also a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary International. Marnie was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Newell Roberts; her brother and sister-in-law, Don and Darlene Roberts; her sister-in-law, Clare Jensen; and her granddaughter, Michelle Brand. Margaret is survived by her husband, Rodger, of 76 years; her daughter, Marjorie Brand; her son, Douglas and his wife Carolyn; Marnie's grandchildren, Heather Brand, Kelly Jensen, and Clay Jensen and his wife, Georgia Lewis. Marnie is also survived by her brother-in-law, Neal Jensen; as well as her nieces, nephews, and their families. The family wishes sincerely to thank and acknowledge Margaret's tireless, kind caregivers, Norma Padilla, and Blanca Cabrera; as well as Marnie's thoughtful and attentive assistant, Deborah Branche. We also appreciate the cheerful staff at the Terraces, San Joaquin Gardens. Margaret's family is forever grateful to Dr. Steven Chooljian, who extended Margaret's life and maintained its quality so she could enjoy her family for as many years as possible. In accordance with Marnie's wishes, she was interred at a private Graveside Service in Belmont Memorial Park, and there will be no Memorial Service. Friends and family are invited to honor Marnie by making a contribution to their favorite charity.