Roy Jensen, beloved husband of Jean Jensen, passed away at St. Michael's in Lethbridge on Monday, August 8, 2022 at the age of 90 years.
A public Funeral Service will be held in "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints", located at 250 Fairmont Blvd. S. Lethbridge on Monday, August 15, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. Friends may meet the family from 12:00 to 12:45 prior to the service. Roy will be laid to rest following the funeral service in Archmount Cemetery.
Besides his loving wife Jean, Roy is survived by his children Melodie (Lorne) Gering of Sherwood Park, Gary (Lorna) Jensen of Picture Butte, Don (Leda) Jensen of Delburne, Sherry Vaski of Kelowna, B.C. and Ron Jensen of Lethbridge; 11 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. He is survived by his sister Joan Moore of Lethbridge, brother-in-laws Earl Colpitts of Abbotsford, B.C., John Kundrik of Lethbridge, LeRoy Mills of Taber and Gordon Manning of Heritage Pointe; sister-in-laws Phyllis Jensen of Sturgeon County, Barbara Gilbert of Parksville B.C, Fay Mills of Taber and Fern Manning of Heritage Pointe and numerous nieces and nephews
He was predeceased by his, mother Marie (Schmidt) Jensen, father Jens Peter Jensen, sisters Doris Colpitts, Betty Kundrik and brother Harold Jensen
Roy was born in Diamond City, AB June 23, 1932. He learned to work at an early age on the farm - driving a plow with 4 horses at age 9 years and pitching bundles of grain into the threshing machine age 12 years. Roy remained on the family farm after graduating from Olds Agricultural College in 1952, purchasing it in 1956 following the death of his father. Married Jean in 1957, they had 4 children, were foster parents for 4-6 years and during that time adopted a son. Roy worked at the Picture Butte Sugar Beet Factory in Picture Butte 1952 to the mid 1970's every October to November to help supplement the farm income. Raised Purebred Shorthorn cattle - showing the cattle in local shows.
Roy loved sports, playing fastball in Park Lake and slow pitch in Delburne. Basketball in his younger years and as an adult, even coaching his wife's basketball team for a few years. Loved curling - playing competitively till 80 yrs. of age. Participated in Men's and Mixed Curling. Coached his sons little league ball teams for approx. 8 years.
He was very active in the community. Such as a Board Member of Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District (LNID) 10 years and Director of LNID 16 years, Board Member of Alberta Irrigation Projects Association 13 years and Chairman 5 years, very involved supporting and building the Oldman River Dam, presenting/writing many briefs to Irrigation & Environmental conferences and Federal Political parties. Appointed member of the Environmental Council of Alberta Public Advisory Committee 6 years - spending several years in Edmonton attending their meetings and participating on the councils. Appointed to the Alberta Agriculture Research Institute 6 years. Member of the Agro. Committee of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. Advisory member of the University of Lethbridge Water Research Institute. President of the Picture Butte Agro. Society. President of the Local 1434. President of Alberta Unifarm General Farm Organization presenting briefs and policies for the benefit of Alberta Farmers to the Provincial Government. Director of Canadian Federation of Agriculture.
In 1997 sold the Diamond City farm and purchased a farm in Delburne AB. There made many new friends, farmed full time and appreciated a slower pace of life with no irrigation or cattle. Continued to be involved with community activities and was the President of the Stettler Genealogical Society.
Roy was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after his baptism in 1983. Several years prior to being baptized he was a Scout leader for 5 years, coached youth basketball and softball. Roy has served in many positions but being Bishop in Diamond City and Stettler was his greatest learning experience, he quickly learned to rely on the Lord for guidance. He loved being able to assist others and seeing them feel joy and love as they learned to put their faith in the Savior. In 2003 Roy and Jean served a mission in Fort Lupton, Colorado - operating a church dairy farm. Served at the Edmonton Temple from 2004-2009. Served a mission at Three Hills 2010-2012.
Roy's greatest love was his family. His siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren have many fond memories of spending time on the family farm visiting and attending family reunions. There was always good food, lots of fun games, hayrides, anti-i-over, wiener roasts, crafts and sing-a-longs. Going along with his love of family, after a cousin from Denmark visited, he decided to visit Denmark and met many family members and started doing research into his Genealogy, that all traces back to Denmark. A cousin in Denmark helped him many times and they have discovered over 6,500 members of his family.
God bless you Roy and enjoy a Family Reunion with many family members who we are sure are happy to embrace you again!
The funeral service will be livestreamed and available via Roy's obituary on the website www.generationsfh.ca