Carol Ann Jensen

August 11, 1932—November 22, 2024

Carol Ann (Williamson) Jensen passed away at Grand Junction, Colorado on November 22, 2024 at the age of 92.

She was born on August 11, 1932 in Racine, Wisconsin to Myrtle “Pat” (Patrick) Williamson and Roy Williamson. From her father she inherited his infectious sense of fun and liveliness, and from her mother she inherited a strong sense of righteousness and a broad and winning sense of humor, which anyone lucky enough to have Irish in their family tree will readily understand.

She grew up in a small and loving family that consisted of just her mother and father, and an older sister, Joyce, whom she adored and idolized all her life. Her small and charming childhood home was on Jerome Boulevard near Taylor Avenue in Racine, Wisconsin—a pleasant, leafy suburban street not far from the beaches of Lake Michigan. That home still stands today, and you can walk down that pleasant street and get a feel for what it must have been like to grow up there during the Depression and during World War II.

She attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and Mitchell Middle School in Racine, before going on to Washington Park High School. While she was only a sophomore at Park, she went with some girlfriends one Saturday night to a dance at Memorial Hall on the shore of Lake Michigan, where she met and danced with her future husband. That was Earl Arthur Jensen of Racine, the son of Anna (Reuss) Jensen and Arthur Jensen. They married in September, 1951 and lived in Oxford, Ohio, where Earl was attending Miami University. They then lived in Chicago for three years, where he joined the national accounting firm of Arthur Anderson, before moving to the Grand Valley in 1955 with two young sons. There, he accepted a post with the Atomic Energy Commission before joining the CPA firm that would become Dalby Wendland & Jensen. They lived on the Redlands for many years, raising four children in all, and latterly they lived in Palisade.

Carol was one of the best-read women of her generation, having a lively and lasting interest in reading and learning. She became one of the Valley’s most trusted and respected authorities on herbal remedies, alternative medicine, and holistic healing. She worked for many years at the Horn O’Plenty and Appleseed health food stores in Grand Junction, where she developed a large and appreciative network of clients and admirers. She was an avid hiker and walker, with a particular fondness for the many great trails on the Colorado National Monument and the awesome hiking terrain in and around Moab. She like nothing more than an arduous day’s hiking in Moab followed by Mexican food and a celebratory margarita. She knew the forests and the picturesque small towns of Western Colorado like the back of her hand; the red-rock country of western Colorado and eastern Utah and the river walks of the Grand Valley were her favorite haunts all her long life. Carol had a way of instantly connecting with people. She initiated a flow of love directly from her heart to theirs. She was just as comfortable talking to senators and university chancellors as she was to stroke patients or ditch diggers, and all felt her compassion and respect. She didn’t put on a different persona and her genuine, down to earth manner was one of her greatest strengths.

She was pre-deceased in 2006 by her beloved husband of 55 years and she is survived by her son Jeff and his wife Meena of Davis, California and their son Kabir of Taipei, Taiwan; by her son David and his wife Debra of Scottsdale, Arizona, their daughter Meredith and their son Nicholas, both of Denver; by her daughter Kris and her wife Lynn of Kelowna, British Columbia; by her son Bruce of Palisade; and by numerous nieces and nephews and other extended family members.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116.