On Sunday morning, January 4th, 2015, our beloved mother, Marian Wilkinson Jensen, passed away at LDS hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah surrounded by family after a valiant battle with pneumonia. She was 86.
Marian was born on March 26, 1928 in Newark, New Jersey. She was the second child of Ernest L. and Alice V. Wilkinson.
Marian was reared in Washington, D.C. where she achieved academically and developed her talent to play the piano.
At age 17, she moved West where she studied and graduated from Brigham Young University. After graduation Marian served a mission to Texas Louisiana under the loving leadership of President Benjamin L. Bowring.
Upon returning from Texas, Marian taught at Spanish Fork High School for one year before completing a master's program in nutrition at the University of Utah.
In 1953 she met a wonderful young man, Gordon F. Jensen, who was a student at the U. They were married July 20, 1956 in the Salt Lake Temple. Three daughters were added to their family and they became the center of their lives.
Gordon's work took her to California where she reared her children, and supported her husband as he served as bishop. The time in California was interrupted briefly by a 18 month stay in France where Gordon helped plan a Command Center for the Allied Forces in Europe while Marian focused on her family.
In 1975, Marian and Gordon moved back to Salt Lake and while in Utah Marian became involved in the cause of mental health to which she donated time and money. During her lifetime she also donated her resources to conservative causes as well as helped the American Heart Association. In addition, she authored two books: "The Little Lost Tooth" and "Women of Commitment—Elect Ladies of Brigham Young University."
Marian will be especially remembered for her devotion to family, her passion for country, her commitment to moral principles and her beautiful smile. That smile could light up a room.
Marian is survived by three loving siblings and their spouses: Alice (Floyd) Anderson, Douglas (Rosalie) Wilkinson, and David (Tricia) Wilkinson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Gordon Fred Jensen who died in 1996, and her brother Ernest (Marjorie) Wilkinson.
She is also survived by her three dear daughters, sons-in-law, and ten grandchildren: Susan ( R. Bart) Kiser, Rebecca Elisabeth (Becky) Jensen, and Allyson (Martin) Egbert, Lindsay Egbert, David Egbert, Kendall Kiser, Kristen Egbert, Rebecca Kiser, Emily Egbert, Elder Matt Kiser (California San Diego Mission), Elder Aaron Egbert ( Ecuador Quito Mission), Alissa Kiser, and Joshua Egbert.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 10th at the LDS Twelfth Ward, Salt Lake Central Stake, at 951 East 100 South at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will precede the funeral from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment will occur at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery (2350 East 1300 South) directly following the funeral.
Deep thanks to medical staff at LDS hospital for their skilled and compassionate care during her last week of life. Also thanks to Cornerstone and Envision home health services during her stay at Park Lane Senior Living.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Valley Behavioral Health—North Valley or Alliance House in Salt Lake City.
