Wilford Leo Jensen

Wilford Leo Jensen, son of David Jensen and Julia Konstance Peterson, was born at Preston, Idaho, then in the county of Oneida.

WILFORD JENSEN, CIVIC LEADER, DIES TUESDAY Wilford Leo Jensen died Tuesday May 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Madison County Memorial Hospital. He was born August 22, 1887 at Preston. He attended school in Preston and fulfilled a mission to the Northern States in 1906. He was married to Georgia Maughan in the Salt Lake City temple June 6, 1912. They came to live in St. Anthony and in 1916 moved to Burton where he has lived ever since. Georgia Maughan Jensen died December 8, 1959. He married Jessie Crofts Wilkinson August 31, 1961 in the Idaho Falls temple. Mr. Jensen has always been active in church organizations serving on Sunday School and M.I.A. Stake Boards, counselor in the Rexburg High Priests Presidency, President of the YMMIA, Sunday School Superintendency and Chairman of the Ward Genealogical Society. He was responsible for the movement to establish the REA (Rural Electric) lines and has been a director for some 30 years. This line extended from Ashton to Plano, Burton, Lyman, Archer, LaBelle and Ririe. He served continuously as a director and also as President of the Board. He was an influential leader in the organization of the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District. Work was started in 1947 to have the District approved by the people. The Certificate of Organization was issued by the State of Idaho, February 2, 1948. The governor appointed Mr. Jensen as District Board Member from which the complete organization was formed. He became the Chairman of the Board and has held his position continuously to the present date. Wilford has attended many state conventions and two national conventions. Very few local board meetings has he missed in the past 17 years. Through his leadership the District has encouraged soil and water conservation since the District was organized. He was instrumental in securing the project of improving the Burton Cemetery some 30 years ago and has had supervision of its maintenance since then. Wilford served two terms as trustee of the Burton School. He was appointed County Weed Supervisor in 1936 and has held that position until the time of his death. He has served as president and program director of the State Association at various times. He was a veteran scouter. Much of the time as committeeman, he was the chairman. Survivors include his widow Jessie C. Jensen and the following children: Mrs. Lorin H. (Mildred) Johnson of Rexburg; Mrs. Cornelius (Juliet) Maathuis, Salt Lake City; Heber M. of Rexburg; Quincy M., Idaho Falls; Grey M. Pocatello; Stanley M., San Francisco; and Zola Jensen of Salt Lake City. Stepchildren are Mrs. Robert (Darlene) Schierts of Pocatello; Mrs. Thomas (Betty) Benson of Jackson, and Gerald C. Wilkinson of Williams Bay, Wisconsin. His son, Loy, a son Dewey and a daughter Loa preceded him in death. Two brothers also survive, Elmer Jensen of Lorenzo and N. Richard Jensen of Preston.

Sources: Obituary of Wilford Leo Jensen "Through the years with Georgia and Wilford Jensen" compiled and edited by Zola V. Jensen and Heber M. Jensen

Photo of tombstone by John Waters.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Nov 1 2017, 11:38:25 UTC