Shirley Jensen

1925 - 2021

Shirley Jensen
March 21, 1925 - September 18, 2021
Kennewick, Washington - Shirley Mae Jensen was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on March 21, 1925 to Guy and Amanda Johnson. As a child, she lived in the same house until she was married. She had wonderful memories of her childhood years ice skating on a frozen field her Dad would flood, playing paper dolls and jacks with her friends, and many outings with her Dad. She was especially close to her Dad. He took her to church most Sundays and trained her up in the way of the Lord to which she did not depart.
She attended Hamilton grade school and graduated from Patrick Henry High School as part of a graduating class of 181.
She married Arthur Bozarth Jensen on March 24, 1945. On their journey out to the Pacific Northwest, they lived in Minnesota, Texas, California, and Washington. They moved to the Portland area in 1965. After all her kids were in school, she worked in school food service and retail sales. She was active as a church volunteer at Zion Lutheran Portland and after retirement, St. Paul Lutheran in Sherwood as well as volunteering at a local grade school and area hospital.
In 2006 she moved to Kennewick, WA where she continued to enjoy volunteering at the local hospital, participating in the Red Hat Society events, and often gathering with friends and family. She was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and lovingly ministered to by Pastor Mark Bertermann and her congregation during her shut-in years. Most of all, Shirley enjoyed being a Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma (GG), and Great-Great- Grandma.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Art; her parents; sisters; Betty Torgason and Carol Grassman; daughters; Lynn Moate, Karen O'Brien, and Barbara Lane; granddaughter, Kim Beckstrom, and grandson-in-law, Brandt Young. She is survived by her brother, Dale Johnson of Burnsville, MN; daughter, Anita (Dave) Swartout of Beaverton, OR; son, Joel (Joanne) Jensen of Citrus Heights, CA; 13 grandchildren, 23 great- grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.
Shirley will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery in Sherwood beside her husband and daughter. Remembrances may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran School, Kennewick, WA.