Phyllis Vivian Jensen

Phyllis Jensen of Visalia passed away on March 13, 2015, at the age of 98. Her final waking hours were spent in loving good humor with her four children, providing fond memories for all. Phyllis slipped quietly away a few days later. She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Bruce F. Jensen, a long-time Visalia ag teacher.

Phyllis was born September 2, 1916, to Conrad and Ada Zimmerman, the third of eight children in Anaheim, California. Her work ethic was formed early on as she and her siblings worked at various jobs managing a busy household and the family orange and walnut orchards. She graduated from what was then Santa Barbara State College, majoring in elementary education and working for room and board while attending classes. She began her teaching days in Ontario, California, but her life changed not long after when she met Bruce on a blind date in San Luis Obispo in 1940. They married within a few months, and Phyllis then moved north to join Bruce in Visalia, where he was beginning his teaching career.

The births of three children came in close succession, and when Bruce went into the Navy, Phyllis stayed home with three little ones under the age of 27 months, managing to care for them and the house for the fifteen months of his absence. A fourth child arrived to complete the family. Somehow the young mother still made the time to make not only her own clothes but also those of her children and even shirts for Bruce.

Once her last child entered school, Phyllis resumed her own teaching career in the primary grades. She was devoted to her students at Sierra Vista, Willow Glen, and Highland Schools and spent a great deal of time outside of the classroom taking workshops and making creative aids to enhance the learning of her charges. She retired from teaching in 1974 after 25 years in the classroom.

An accomplished social and duplicate bridge player, Phyllis played a few times a week. She was also able to devote more time to her love of needlework, which showcased her talents. She was a member of The Embroiderers’ Guild of America and served as president of the local chapter. She won many honors for the beautiful pieces she created.

The family expresses gratitude to the staff and her friends at Prestige Assisted Living for their attention to her and to the nurses at Kaweah Delta Hospital for their kindness and the tender care provided during her last days.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Louise Wiggins (Logan), Jenny Glass (Dean), Robert Jensen (Margot), and Dan Jensen (Suzanne), seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and her youngest sister, Ruth Stack.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 7 at 10:30 a.m. at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, with a reception following the service. A private burial will take place at San Joaquin Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Visalia Rescue Mission, PO Box 109, Visalia, 93279, or to Wounded Warriors at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.