WALTER JENSEN

1928 - 2008

Howard Walter Jensen, beloved husband of Connie Olis (Bennett) (Myre) Jensen of Lethbridge, passed away after a lengthy illness on Thursday, January 10, 2008 at the age of 79 years.
Besides Connie, his loving wife of 57 years, Walter is survived by his children Jacqueline (Ron) Jarvis of Innisfail; Gerry (Sherry) Jensen of Lethbridge; Gaynelle (Bill) Brown of Sherwood Park; Kent (Allison) Jensen of Taber; Daryl (Heather) Jensen of Kelowna, British Columbia; Randy (Patti) Jensen of Lethbridge; Jayne Mitchell of Kelowna, British Columbia and Todd (Amy) Jensen of Nolensville, Tennessee. He is also survived by Doug (Misuzu) Allen of Warner Robbins, Georgia; Faron (Deb) Jones of Salmon Arm, British Columbia and Harlan (Gail) Jones of Enderby, British Columbia. Walter loved his thirty-seven precious grandchildren and their mates. He worshiped his very wondrous count of nineteen great grandchildren. He will be fondly remembered by his brothers Marion Jensen, Roy (Ellen) Jensen and Ross Jensen; his sisters Shirley (Bill) Stoltz, Darlene Layton and sister-in-law Virginia Jensen.
He was predeceased by his loving parents; sons Joel and Noel in 1953; daughter Carma Rae in 1976; grandson Matthew Walter Brown in 2006; his sister Thelma; his brother Fred; brother-in-law Richard Layton and by sisters-in-law Betty Jensen and Marion Jensen.
Walter was born April 25, 1928 at the family farm in Fincastle, Alberta. He was the fifth of eight children born to Nephi James & Ivy Annie (Nielsen) Jensen. Walter spent most all his life on the farm in Fincastle. He also spent about ten years in Barnwell and has been in Lethbridge since 2004. He has been at the Edith Cavell Care Centre since February 2005 where he has received excellent care.
Walter has always been a travelin’ man; he was never happier than when he was “on the go”. He loved to play billiards and cards with anyone. Walter and his wife Connie spent about fifteen years in Phoenix, Arizona during the winter. His most favorite activity while being away was constantly shopping the “flea markets”.
Walter was always known as “The Friendly Giant”. He was known to go up to total strangers and chat for hours if possible. He could and sometimes did, give to others whenever he was able. Walter was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved family reunions for both his and Connie’s sides of the family. He loved to visit his friends and relatives any place and at any time. He loved his family most of all and gave to all of them to “the extreme”. Walter was a man who did it all “My Way”.
Walter will be missed by family and friends but we rejoice in the Lord that he is in a better place, free of pain. We love you and will see you again one day.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family in the Relief Society Room of the Church prior to the service from 11:00 A.M. to 12:40 P.M. on Tuesday, January 15, 2008.
The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. with Bishop Eric Jensen conducting. Burial to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Walter’s name may be made directly to the Edith Cavell Care Centre, 1255 - 5 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta  T1J 0V6 or to the charity of one’s personal choosing.
The family would like to thank Dr. Cal Stewart, the nurses and staff at the Edith Cavell for their loving and wondrous care that Walter received during his stay there. Many, many thanks goes out to all who have shown their love and concern for Walter and his family.