On September 18, 2018, Shirley LaVon Anderson Jensen, age 95, returned peacefully to her heavenly home, joining her husband and family on the other side. She spent her last days in Midvale, Utah, surrounded by close family and friends. Born on March 10, 1923 in Mammoth, Utah, to John Walter Anderson and Manila Norman Anderson, Shirley was the second of three children.
She grew up near the copper mine in Bingham, Utah and graduated from Bingham High School. While in high school, Gordon William Jensen, a star football and basketball player, caught her eye, and Shirley learned all she could about the sports to capture his attention. Sports became a passion for her in their own right; she knew all about them and could answer any question.
Shirley and Gordon became high school sweethearts, and on March 20, 1942, they wed in the Salt Lake Temple. Soon after their wedding, WWII separated them; Gordon served in the Navy, in the North Pacific. They corresponded by letter, though sections were frequently redacted in transit.
After his return, they established their household, first in Bingham, and eventually in Midvale, Utah, where they lived together for 53 years until Gordon passed away in 2005. In the years following, Shirley lived either in Utah, or with her daughter’s family, moving with the military to Illinois, Maryland, and Virginia. During her long life, Shirley was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; she served in several callings, often working with the Young Women.
Her favorite hymn was “How Great Thou Art”. She supported Gordon in his near-lifetime calling as scoutmaster, becoming a mother figure to the many scouts he served. At age 40, Shirley became a mother to her own children, raising a son and a daughter with great love.
She was very involved in the lives of her grandchildren, and in the lives of any youth around her—Shirley often said she was “everyone’s grandma”. Shirley enjoyed golf, bowling, and camping in her younger years, and remained an avid sports fan throughout her life. Neighbors regularly heard her cheering for (and armchair coaching!
) the Utah Jazz and the University of Utah football team during televised games. She was a passionate, lively, bold personality, full of love and determination. Shirley is survived by her children, Robert Jensen and Anne (Randon) Draper; her grandchildren, Taylor Jensen (Tammy Swain), Kenzie Jensen (Jared Watterson), Mallory Jensen (Trevor Ruttenbur), Bailey Jensen (Dan Letourneau), Andrew Draper (Crystal Anderson), Daniel (Zoya) Draper; Parry (Briana) Draper; Shayla (Dagan) Holbrook; and Branson (Eden) Draper; and 15 great-grandchildren (with one on the way).
She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, older sister, Lucille Kate Robertson, and younger brother, John Walter Anderson, Jr. Community was paramount in Shirley’s life, and the family regrets being unable to name the many nieces and nephews, cousins, step-grandchildren, in-laws, cherished friends and neighbors, devoted ward members and leaders, and all others who created the complex network of love in Shirley’s lifetime. She loved, and was blessed by, too many beloved figures to count. Shirley’s family extends their gratitude to the staff and friends at Canyon Creek Senior Living Center and the caring nurses of Comfort Worx Hospice.
A viewing will be held at Goff Mortuary (8090 S. State Street) from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, September 21. A second viewing will take place at the Midvale 4th Ward, 7825 South Olympus Street (200 West) from 9-9:45 a.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2018. Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. at the same location.
She will be interred beside her husband at Larkin Sunset Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Boy Scouts of America.
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