C. Aloy Jensen

Catherine Aloy Olsen Jensen, 91, of Basalt, passed away peacefully at her home, Tuesday, July 13, 2010, surrounded by her family.

  She was born August 7, 1918, to Emil Vernon and Myrtle Sarah Miller Olsen in Hyrum, Utah.  She was the 2

nd

of four girls.

   She attended schools in Basalt, Id., Salmon, Id. and in Cache Valley, Utah, where she graduated from South Cache High School in 1936. 

   Aloy returned to Basalt where she met and married her sweetheart of her life, Dell R Jensen,  on December 19, 1939.  They made their home in Basalt for the rest of their lives.  She loved her home and family.  Her home was a welcoming place for family, friends and strangers.  She and Dad made their big yard a beautiful place,  growing every kind of flower that could be grown in their beloved Idaho.  Their big garden yielded fruits and vegetables of every kind that provided year-round food for their family.  Together they made  a home full of love, as they welcomed their five children.

   While raising her family she worked as a secretary to the Superintendent of Schools in Shelley, Clerk of the Probate Court in Bingham County as well as secretary to the State Superintendent of Schools, then as legal secretary  for many years.

     Mom had many talents including sewing, cooking, handwork, and music.  Teaching was perhaps her greatest talent.  She went began to college at the age of 49, earning her teaching degree and graduating with high honors from ISU.  She taught 5

th

grade in the Shelley School District at Taylor and then at Stuart Elementary for twelve years before she retired.  She loved her students and said she couldn’t believe  she got paid for doing something  she loved so much.

   She was a member of  the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in numerous callings including organist starting at age ten  and continuing until her eyesight no longer allowed ,  teacher of Gospel Doctrine Class and Teacher Development Class, Relief Society President and on the Stake YW and Stake Relief Society Boards.   After retiring she and Dell worked in the Idaho Falls Temple   and went on a mission to the Genealogical Library in Salt Lake City.

   Aloy was a happy, caring person who did hours of service for others.

She was a hard worker who knew the value of time and did not believe in wasting a minute.  She will be dearly missed.  The precious memories of her will live on in the hearts of the family she loved so much.

   She is survived by her children, Nelda (Ronald) Gardner of Firth, Judy (Larren) Nelson of Idaho Falls, Sheryl (Frank) Outcelt of Shelley, Pat (Dave) Johnson of Firth, and Delwyn (Jill) Jensen of Thousand Oaks, California; one sister Fayma (Maurice) Griggs, of Sandpoint, Id., along with  42 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren,  2  great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

   She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband,  two sisters, and a son-in-law, Ronald Gardner.

   The family wishes to express great love and appreciation to her wonderful nurses, Kara Yancey, Carrie Andrus, Leslie  from Blackfoot Home Health and Hospice and Dr. Brad Erikson for their loving, tender care.

   Funeral services will be held at  11 a.m. on Saturday, July 17, 2010, at the Firth Stake Center in Basalt.  The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  at the Nalder Funeral Home, Friday, July 16

and from 9:30-10:30 Saturday morning  prior to services at the Firth Stake Center.  Burial will be in the Firth Cemetery.