Ed Jensen

ED CLARK JENSEN

Ed Clark Jensen 1938-2018 passed through the veil into the welcoming arms of his family on December 22, 2018 in Draper, Utah while his daughter was holding him. Ed was born April 3, 1938 to the cozy home of Edmond C. Jensen and Jane LaRue Clark Jensen.   Literally, Ed was born at home where he resided until he left for college, it was a loving home with a rich heritage behind the structure and still stands at 70 South Main Street in Coalville, Utah. He attended school at North Summit Elementary and graduated in 1956 from North Summit High School, a school system where both of his parents were decorated and appreciated teachers.  Surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, a lot of cousins and a community of hard working, fun loving folks Ed’s life was filled with good neighbors and family love. From a very young age Ed enjoyed collecting coins, riding the bike he shared with his sister, playing king of the mountain on the back porch with his dad, watching the trains go through the valley with hobos on them, fishing, playing with frogs and snakes, dragging main street when he could because his dad thought it was a waste of gas money when a date would be a preferable way of socializing, playing cowboy and indians in the Coalville Ledges, and searching for arrow heads and any artifacts left by the native Indians who had inhabited the area.  Along with his good friend Don Wright they had a pet owl that used to ride around on their shoulder for an entire summer. Ed adored his Grandma Lizzy and took her on a camping trip when he was 16 and she was in her late 70s…he zipped her up in a sleeping bag and helped her put her hair up in curlers when she was going blind.  He loved the meals she fixed him and teasing her and hearing her laugh.  He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a fabulous teacher at a young age and earned many perfect attendance awards. FFA (Future Farmers of America) taught Ed many of the skills he later used owning and operating his family ranch and farm in Redmond, Utah.  He earned many ribbons for the livestock he raised at the FFA competitions. Ed recollecting his family’s trip to Chicago to watch the White Sox play the New York Yankees is filled with the fearless yet simple spirit the family embodied.  Karma was only 16 and drove them some of the time.  They cheered for Minnie Minosa, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle.  They ate Wisconsin Cheese and saw a big man carrying a large # 3 tub hollering out across the crowd and selling his goods.  It was quite a fabulous journey for the crew from Coalville. Unbeknown to them some years later Ed would serve his mission in America’s heartland.  They also traveled through San Francisco into the Redwood Forest.   The most remarkable event Ed recalled from that adventure was the police officer who hopped on the front of their big bumper and negotiated Big Ed through the traffic and onto the Oakland Bridge.  The officer had spied an out of state license plate and helped out the weary travelers. Ed cherished his father, Big Ed, who was one of his football and basketball coaches. Together they, along with a lot of other fine young men in the community, made quite a team, and Ed was awarded Most Valuable Football Player in the State of Utah for his athletic accomplishments in 1955.  The sports editor from the Deseret News, Jim Grebe, wrote this of Ed, “ A Bull dozing back who was a wondrous weapon for the Braves all season.  He had great power and excellent breakaway speed on offense.  On defense he ruled as an outside linebacker.”  Ed graduated and after receiving many scholarship offers he chose to attend Utah State University on a Football scholarship, the same place his father had an incredibly successful career in football during the 1920s  and earned the right to play in Hawaii at the East West Shriners Game.

Little Ed played as full back in college until during his Sophomore year his football dreams were ended during the Iowa State vs. Utah State game when he sustained a back injury.  When he turned 21 Ed served his mission and met some of the coolest people ever in the North Central States mission  (Minnesota, Wisconsin and Winnipeg, Canada were mainly the areas he served in) from January 1959- January 1961. Ed served as a Branch President during his mission, which was a unique opportunity for him, he learned to completely serve his branch members and enjoy his close relationship with his mission president. These leadership skills were used the rest of his life as he served in numerous bishoprics and as a member of the planning and zoning commission. Shortly upon returning from his mission Ed served in the US Army as a medic and was stationed in San Antonio, Texas at the Brooks Army General Hospital.  In San Antonio he was attending church, which is where he met Treba Irvin and married her that same year.  Treba brought two beautiful children, Darla Kay (9 years old) and Daryl Keith Essey (8 years old) into their marriage. They married on December 27, 1961 and soon moved to Coalville, Utah.  They welcomed another child into their family on January 26th 1963, Pamela Faye.  Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple that same year in October.  Ed liked exploring nature and traveling when possible.  By the time Pamela graduated from High School she had been to 25 states, Mexico and Canada. Ed & Treba always had a garden ( even this year!) and they shared fresh produce and irrigated the land until this very autumn season.  They were an incredibly industrious couple.  Treba working for the Department of Transportation the majority of her work years and they continue to be landlords their entire lives together! Ed retired at age 56 from a 30-year career as a heavy machine operator and machinist at Kennecott Copper he was always considered a valued employee.  He was a frugal man and saved to purchase rental properties and farm land.  One of his favorite sayings was “they aren’t making any more land so get what you can while you can” a month after he retired he moved to his beloved ranch in Redmond and ran his ranch/ farm for 20 years.

Family reunions were a highlight for Ed and he would travel from Canada to other remote areas to be with family.  Grandchildren were the grandest part of Ed’s life.  He adored each one from Elliot, who made him a grandpa at age 35 to the arrival of Andrik 10 years ago.  Each child was dear to him and he spent hours understanding them and their lives and their views of the world.  Ed was capable of genuinely loving many people. Ed loved the lord and was a dedicated member of many bishoprics, presidencies and was the best writer and supporter of missionaries as he wrote weekly to many missionaries.  He adored his sister and had a happy and fun loving relationship with Karma Jane and her amazing family.

Ed is survived by his dedicated loving wife and caregiver to the very end; Treba Irvin Jensen. Yesterday they celebrated 57 years together;  his daughter, Pamela Faye Jensen Bingham with his son-in-law Dr. Tab Bingham and their four children ; Austin Jensen Bingham (Christina) , Jessica Faye Bingham Kehl ( Bryan), Vance Clark Moose Bingham (Kiersten) , Mitchell Bartlett Bingham, and four precious great grandchildren Jayda Faye Kehl, Cruz Bingham Kehl, Isabella Wynn Bingham, and Jersey Faye Kehl. Ed is survived by his adored step son Daryl Keith Essey, who still lives at the Ranch in Redmond working as a mental health therapist, and Daryl’s three sons Elliot Essey, Kien Essey, & Andrik Essey;  Grandchildren from Darla Essey Dickerson : Justin Brandt Dickerson ( Courtney) and their children Mia and Josh, Brandon Kyle Dickerson ( Erika) and their children Stellen and Lane Robert, and Kyla Faye Dickerson.  Ed is survived by his cherished older sister and life long friend Karma Jane Jensen Larsen and dear brother-in-law Lawrence Ray Larsen as well as Ed’s many dear nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his grandparents Elizabeth Bagnell Clark, Joseph Clark, Elvina Matilda Jorgensen Jensen, and Charles Jensen; his parents Edmond C. Jensen, Jane LaRue Clark Jensen; nephew Burke Ray Larsen; step daughter Darla Kay Dickerson;  and dear cousins Joe Blonquist, Johnny Clark, Alf Blonquist, Linda Clark Lewis, Gweneth Crane, Rueleen Shepherd, Bonnie Veater , Douglas Black , Venilu Hall, Robert Black, and Debbie Jensen.

In Celebration of Ed’s life and Grandma Treba being married with him for 57 years yesterday these services will be followed by a lovely luncheon where you may share your favorite happy memory with Ed and Treba… so be thinking and while we are eating we will share some fun memories.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Friday, December 28, 2018 at the Coalville Stake Center, 40 North Main St. in Coalville, UT, where a viewing will be held Friday 10-10:45 a.m. Graveside service will be Friday 2:30 p.m. at the Coalville Cemetery. Online condolences and full obituary: www.peelfuneralhome.com