Thera Lou Jensen Finlayson

Thera Lou Jensen Finlayson 1936 ~ 2004  Our loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother ended her mission here on earth on February 14th, 2004, due to complications from breast cancer and a recent hip replacement. Mom went on to the next life where she was greeted and welcomed by her father, son, brother and grandson as well as many other loved ones. She was taken from us too soon and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  Lou was born August 25th, 1936 to Ruel Whiting Jensen and Ethel Josepha Otte in her parents' home in Mapleton, Utah. She was the third child of ten. Lou attended school in Mapleton and Springville where she graduated from Springville High School. She later attended Mesa College in Grand Junction, Colorado. She married her eternal companion, John Taylor Finlayson, on November 3rd, 1954 in the Manti Temple. They shared nearly 50 wonderful years together. Mom was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served in many callings ranging from the ward nursery to the ward Relief Society president and also served in the Stake Primary presidency. At the time of her death she was serving a mission in San Diego, California at the Mormon Battalion Visitors Center and at the San Diego Temple. She was loved by all who served with her. She was a wonderful cook and also enjoyed crocheting, quilting, tatting, knitting, sewing and crafts, camping, as well as family get-togethers. She was heavily involved in making and donating Humanitarian items.  In addition to being a devoted wife, Lou was a wonderful mother to her nine children. She enjoyed her 41 grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren (with two more on the way). She loved and cherished each one of them and was looking forward to being with them again when she would have returned home from her mission on February 18th, 2004. She is survived by her loving husband, John, and their eight children; Debra (Marc) Neilsen, Mapleton, UT; Mike (Linda) Finlayson, Overton, NV; Cindy (Brian) Jarrett, Orem, UT; Becky (Brent) Fry, Springville, UT; Wendy (Nathan) Van De Graaff, Tucson, AZ; Scott (Christine) Finlayson, Provo, UT; Sharla (Jeff) Blom, Manorville, NY; and Karla Finlayson, Provo, UT; her mother, Ethel Jensen, Provo, UT; Sisters; Ruth Ann Clark, No. Ogden, UT; Carol (Tom) Wilson, Springville, UT; Kathy (Paul) Wheeler, Logandale, NV; Brothers; Alma (Ann) Jensen, Fremont, CA; Marvin (Mary Lynn) Jensen, Vermejo Ranch, NM; Elder Jay (Lanalyn) Jensen, Draper, UT; Richard (Maxine) Jensen, Provo, UT; David (Sharon) Jensen, Rigby, ID; She was preceded in death by her father, Ruel; son, Brian; brother, Niel; and grandson, Matt Neilsen. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 20, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. in the North Park Stake Center, 1066 West 200 North, Provo, Utah. Friends may call Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 E. Center Street, as well as Friday morning at the church from 9:30-10:30 a.m.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to Primary Children's Hospital.