Phyllis Jensen

Phyllis Jensen

1928 ~ 2009

Beloved wife, mother, sister, and grandmother Phyllis Parkinson Jensen passed away peacefully in her home early Thursday morning April 23, 2009. She was born February 4, 1928 in Plano, Idaho, the 6th of 11 children of Sedlie Williams Parkinson and Emma Kate Squires Parkinson.

To Phyllis' family and to all those who knew her, her most memorable traits were her optimism, her joy for living, and her genuine smile. She loved life, she loved her church, her husband, her children, and her grandchildren, and her family was her greatest joy.

Phyllis grew up in Idaho and came to Utah after high school to attend BYU. There she met, fell in love with, and married her sweetheart Harvard Nielsen Jensen and they were married March 16, 1951 in the Idaho Falls Temple. Now 58 years later, they have raised a family that includes 3 children, 14 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren who all adore her and consider her to be an example of faith, compassion, kindness, love, cheerfulness, and integrity. She faced serious health challenges throughout much of her life with courage and grace, and she was a genuine, compassionate, and caring friend to everyone she knew.

She taught her family to always look for the good in others, to see the bright side, to do first things first, to smile and be cheerful and grateful, and she was a living example of all of those qualities. It was impossible to know her without being lifted by her enthusiasm, her cheerfulness, and her positive attitude. Phyllis was always giving, loving, and serving her family and others. She served in many church callings, including a mission with Harv to Texas and Oklahoma in 1990, and for several years in the Provo, Timpanogos, and St. George Temples.

Funeral services will be at 11am on Tuesday April 28, at the Hillcrest Stake Center, 1500 S. 800 E. in Orem. Family and friends may call from 9:45-10:45 am prior to the services at the church. Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery.