VaLeen Sorensen Jensen

Bountiful, Utah – Our sweet, loving mother, VaLeen Sorensen Jensen, 88, of Bountiful, Utah, passed away on January 11, 2017, at the Legacy House in Bountiful under the care of family and a team of wonderful aids. VaLeen was born on December 20, 1928, to Edward H. and Minnie B. Sorensen and grew up in Salt Lake City. During those young years, she loved playing tennis and became the champion of the neighborhood. She also gained a love for the piano and the organ and ultimately studied music at the University of Utah.  She had a love for singing and shared her talent in several performing groups.  VaLeen gained a strong testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities throughout her life.  She opted to serve a full time mission in Copenhagen, Denmark, when her parents were called to preside over that mission.  At that time, she met the love of her life, Richard C. Jensen, an assistant to the president and fellow missionary, whom she later married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 11, 1953.  In 1978, she and her husband were called to preside over the same Danish Mission.  Her fun, loving nature endeared her to those she served as Young Women camp director, Young Women president and Primary president on both ward and stake levels.  She loved to serve others and did so throughout her life. In later years, she quilted close to 100 baby blankets which were donated to the LDS Humanitarian Center. Of all her callings, her favorite pursuit was that of a dedicated mother to her six children, and an adored grandmother to all her grand and great grandchildren.

VaLeen was preceded in death by her husband, Richard.  She is survived by her three siblings, Marva Christensen, LaVerle Christensen, and Russell Sorensen; her children, Kimnor (Leslie) Jensen, Robyn (Stuart) Smith, Tamara (Dana) Bell, Jaron (Janene) Jensen, Todd Jensen, and Mark (Deanne) Jensen; 38 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 16, at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing beginning at 9:30, Bountiful Hills Ward Chapel, 1190 Bountiful Hills Drive.  A viewing will also be held Sunday evening, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main Street, Bountiful.