Helena Jensen Bowen

1911 - 2006

Helena Jensen Bowen left this earth peacefully on Wednesday evening, July 26, 2006, at the age of 95. She moved from Freedom to live with her daughter in Aptos two years ago. Helena was born on June 23, 1911, in Provo, Utah. Her parents were Niels Ivar Jensen and Helena Sofia Jensen, both Danish immigrants who came to the United States in 1890's. At the age of four, Helena moved by train with her family to Burley, Idaho where her father was a farmer. Her childhood years were shared with three brothers Ivar, Carl & David Jensen who all preceded her in death.

She met the love of her life Ronald Bowen in Burley, Idaho when she was 16 years old, and they were married in Logan, Utah on August 27, 1929. Helena gave birth to their first child on Ron's 19th birthday. The family lived in Salt Lake City, Utah until 1945, and them moved to Emmet, Idaho during World War II. In 1946, Ron got a civilian job at Camp Roberts in San Miguel, California. He packed up Helena, four children, his mother and a teenage neighbor boy in two vehicles and headed west for California. They lived in Paso Robles for three years, Salinas for three years, and arrived in Watsonville in 1952. She spent her life dedicated to her family and their care.

Helena leaves three daughters and son-in-laws, Eldene & Richard Dittman of Ogden, Utah, Gaye & Bob Bivins of Aptos, and Tana & Rick Roberts of Watsonville. She will be deeply missed by her 13 beloved grandchildren, David Karen Dittman, Toni Simonsen, Lynda Jesse Mallory, Lesley Bernie Bunning, Kathleen McAllister, Bradley Sandy Bowen, Maureen Nick Martindale, Allison Gary Deems, Bret Lori Bivins, Brooke J Garnett, Damon Kimberly Roberts, Thearon Roberts and Tristan Jason Norris. She also leaves 30 adoring great-grandchildren and 16 precious great-great-grandchildren. A great-granddaughter is expected in October. Helena was excited and looking forward to holding the new baby. She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews who have been supportive and caring throughout her lifetime who fondly called her "Aunt Helen." She answered to many names such as Grandma Bowen, Grandma Darling, Grandma Yoo-hoo, and MaMaMa.

Helena was preceded in death by her husband Ronald Bowen in 1994, a son Harold Jay Bowen on Edmonds, Washington in 1999 and one grandson Ronald Dittman of Palm Springs in 1994.

Family and friends may visit on Sunday, July 30th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on Monday, July 31st from 11 a.m., to 12:30 p.m. at Mehl's Colonial Chapel, 222 East Lake Avenue. Graveside services will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Pajaro Valley Memorial Park on Hecker Pas Road. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Santa Cruz County, 2880 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz or to a charity of your choice. The entire family wishes to extend our special thanks sincere gratitude to Gaye & Bob Bivins who lovingly cared for our Helena these past two years.

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