ELMER JENSEN

1924 - 2008

Elmer Marius Jensen, beloved husband of the late Elizabeth (Irene) Jensen, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the age of 84 years.
Born October 16, 1924 in Purple Springs, Alberta, he is survived by his son Gayle Clarke (Lester Ann) Jensen of Lethbridge; daughter Patricia Louise (Raymond) Mulhall of Calgary; five grandchildren Dawn (Allen) Ackroyd, Gaylene (Duane) Nelson, Neil Jensen, Shane (Carolyn) Mulhall and Renee (Steve) McQueen; eight great grandchildren Jill and Peirce Ackroyd; Taylor, Jordan and Sydney Nelson; Paige Mulhall; Steven and Cooper McQueen; one brother Ross Jensen; two sisters Edna Holman and Rae Shockey and a caring and devoted friend, Ruth Hill.
Besides his wife, Irene, he was predeceased by his parents James Andrew and Thuressa Maud Godfrey Jensen; six brothers Elvin, Gerald, Marion, Glen, Arlie and Harold; granddaughter Lynn Mulhall and great grandchild Destiny Dawn Ackroyd.
He married Elizabeth Banman, July 1, 1943 and they were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Cardston Temple. As a son of pioneers to the area, he learned the value of hard work and how to make do with the bare essentials while striving for improvement. A resident of Taber most of his life, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943 where he served as an Air Frame Mechanic. Following his discharge from the Air Force in 1945 he worked in the oil field then brought his little family back to Taber in 1948 where he obtained employment, building the Sugar Factory. His starting salary was sixty-five cents per hour and he received a raise to nintey-five cents per hour when he became a full time employee. Over the years his salary increased significantly and he worked there until his retirement in 1984. He used his many talents as a painter, carpenter and handyman to supplement their income and he also built four homes in Taber. He was a good mechanic and could make any engine run. As a young man Elmer enjoyed and participated in sports, especially baseball and hockey. He loved to watch Gayle play and could always be heard above the rest of the crowd with his “That’s my boy!” He had a fierce sense of family. He loved and was proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family Reunions were a priority and he loved visiting with his siblings and extended family. He and Irene enjoyed traveling and enjoyed camping and visiting in their travel trailer. They also visited Europe, Hawaii, and the Panama Canal. They were avid dancers and traveled far and wide to square dance festivals, enjoying the company of the many friends they met. He was a member of the Taber Lions Club and as President of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #20, he chaired and oversaw the committee responsible for building the new Air Cadet Hall. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in several Ward and Stake callings and he was a faithful home teacher. He especially enjoyed serving for several years with Irene as Dance Directors in the Mutual Improvement Association.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, December 18, 2008 from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and prior to the funeral service in the Relief Society Room of the Church from 12:00 P.M. to 12:40 P.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, on Friday, December 19, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. with Bishop Michael Saunders conducting. Burial to follow in the Taber Memorial Garden.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Elmer’s name may be made directly to a charity of one’s choice.
The family sincerely thanks Dr. Christensen and the nurses at the Taber Health Centre for the compassionate and attentive way in which they cared for him during his last days. He was particularly comforted by the personal and loving care he received from his niece, Linda Babranyi, LPN and we all love and appreciate our special friend, Ruth Hill, who worked so hard, caring, helping and supporting him and us as a family.