Jon Kenneth Jensen, of Wood Cross, Utah, born Sept 26, 1951, died at home on November 20, 2016 from heart failure. He was 65.
He was previously married to Laura Hess Jenkins and is survived by three daughters they had together:
Melissa Jensen Nord (Mark), Kirsten Jensen Maw (Mike) and grandson Forrest, Sabrina Jensen Kaauwai, and grandchildren Isla and Rex. His brother Ole Jensen (Marty) of Denver, his sisters, Susen Harkness (Steve) of Bountiful, and Christine Jensen of Salt Lake survive him as do nieces and nephews and cousins who loved him in the United States and Norway.
Ken was born in Salt Lake City to Sverrre and Tora Jensen who emigrated from Norway. He lived in Salt Lake City, Denver and Seattle.
He graduated from Highland High School in 1969 where he played football and was on the wrestling team. He played church softball and was an award winning player, once hitting four homerun's in one game. He attended the University of Utah where he studied American History taking special affection for Abraham Lincoln. He once stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC for an hour without moving, saying afterword, "This is one of the most inspiring moments of my life." He was confirmed an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1971. Despite not actively serving in the church he testified of a sure faith in God. His favorite teaching was the Sermon on the Mount.
He was a building contractor by trade, building many houses and apartment buildings in Utah, Wyoming and Washington. He also had stints as a carpet layer, car salesman and manager in the food industry. He once co-owned two Burger King Restaurants in Colorado.
He was an avid fisherman and game hunter, his most famous hunt, a successful bow and arrow mountain lion hunt in Moab, Utah.
He was a man of modest means but generous. As time went on in his life he expressed great kindness and love to his family. He expressed gratitude and love to people he met, unafraid to tell them they are doing a good job.
He served at home taking care of his ailing mother and father for many years. After his parents deaths he turned his attention to his uncles and aunts: Olaf and Nina Jensen, Martha Iversen and Edith Horrall, all Norwegian immigrants. Therefore, he claimed to be a Viking and was strong because of "Viking blood." In recent years he became a devoted father and doted on his grandchildren-- his greatest joy were his grandchildren, nieces and nephews whom he loved to gather around him.
Ken was well known for his humor and gregarious personality. He was also introspective and unafraid to review the mistakes he made in his life. His particular attention was to his three daughters who he loved beyond measure, experiencing their highs and lows as if it was his own.
In the final weeks and at his bedside at death was his family who served him during his final months of trial and suffering, his final words to each being, "l love you."
