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Obituary of Ruth Ella Jensen
January 6, 1920 – Yorkton, Saskatchewan
February 20, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta
Ruth Jensen, beloved wife of the late Louis Neils Jensen of Calgary, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2023 at the age of 103 years.
Ruth was born at home near Yorkton, Saskatchewan on January 6, 1920, the third of five children to Gustav and Martha Digre. Ruth met her husband, Louis, in Saskatchewan. They were married on December 31, 1937 and settled in Calgary, where she was a homemaker and Louis worked as a carpenter for the Alberta Government Telephone company.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and will always be remembered with love by her children Grant Jensen (DeVonne), Brenda Jensen, Karen Melnyk (Dean), and Byron Jensen. She will also be mourned by her grandchildren Crystal Lukawesky, Tina Jensen, Royette Jensen, (Steve), Robert Jensen, Zoe Silver, Joshua Melnyk (Victoria) and Melissa Grootegoed (Matt) ; and her six great-grandchildren: Lauren Jensen; Jonathan and Alexander Lukawesky; Taylor Ressler-Melnyk, Brinnley and Everly Grootegoed.
Ruth was an active volunteer throughout her life, and was also an avid participant in her community, starting with the West Hillhurst Community Association, and in later years the Go Getters, their organization for seniors. Louis and Gustav participated in building the first community association meeting hall, which served the family well over many decades. She was a member of the Rebecca's in the 1970's; the Foothills Trailer Club 1969-82; Confederation Park Seniors 1982-2020; Alberta Seniors Olympics 1983 – 2000; 1988 Calgary Olympics as a torch bearer, and the Bow Cliff Seniors Harmonica Tableau 2010-2020.
Ruth had an unbridled zest for life, a talent in needlework, loved music, and had a particular passion for dancing, which she and Louis did regularly for years. She also enjoyed camping with her family and friends and travelling. Ruth and Louis toured Canada and the United States with their trailer club and travelled to Europe in 1977 to visit Louis' homeland. Ruth continued to travel throughout her life with members of her family to a variety of destinations, including Montreal for Expo '67; the Mississippi River on a paddle-wheeler; Hawaii; Alaska; and with her children to the Caribbean to celebrate her 90th birthday. Ruth's 100th birthday was celebrated at the Calgary Golf and Country Club with 50 family and friends in attendance.
Ruth was predeceased by her parents and her siblings Evelyn, Tommy, Gertrude and Hazel, as well as her husband Louis and eldest son Roy.
Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of The Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB), on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.
In living memory of Ruth Jensen, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.
