John Daniel Jensen

John Daniel Jensen died on December 23, 2009 at Payson's Mountain View Hospital from complications with pneumonia and other health problems. He was just two days away from his eighty-fourth birthday.



John was born on a cold frosty Christmas morning in 1925. His mother, Eva Joy Jorgensen heard Christmas carolers in the hallway singing, "Silent Night" and "Deck the Halls" just before he was born in Salt Lake City's L.D.S. Hospital. His father, Daniel Byron Jensen kissed Eva and told her how proud he was of her and this started John's life with a family. Later, a brother David and a sister Rosemary were added to the family.



Nothing was more important to John than family; on September 15, 1948 he married Beth LaRue Patterson for time and all eternity in the Manti, Utah L.D.S. temple. She truly was the love of his life! They were the proud parents of seven sons, David, Kim, Ron, Richard, Douglas, McKay, Nathan and one daughter, Janice (Burdett). He currently has 38 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren and he'd be quick to add that two more are on the way.



He loved sports! He lettered in three sports at Springville High School and lettered in basketball and tennis at Brigham Young University. He graduated from B.Y.U. with a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in counseling.



He spent most of his working career as a school counselor in Nebo School District. He said of his career, "I have spent most of my life working with youth, which is the most rewarding of all professions."



He loved serving others in church callings, which included High Councilman, Bishop, Stake Missionary and Temple Sealer.



We loved him and will miss him, but we know that he will spend Christmas in his Heavenly Home with his beloved wife, "Beth" who preceded him in death.



His viewing will be at Springville's Wheeler Mortuary, (211 East 200 South), on Monday, December 28, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. or Tuesday one hour prior to the services at the church. Funeral Services will be December 29 at 11 a.m. at Springville's L.D.S. Ward Church on 840 South 400 East. Interment will be in the Salem City Cemetery.