September 07, 2009 - 3:20
Karen Kristine "Kris" Jensen: wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, friend to all, daughter of God, devoted worker and lover of the music of life, passed away on Aug. 2, 2009, near La Grande, Ore., in a car accident at the age of 51. Born on Aug. 30, 1957, Kris was the youngest daughter of Carlene and Neil Lindsey.
Kris was raised in Nampa when the fields still outnumbered the subdivisions. She graduated from Nampa High in 1975. She married her love, Jens Jensen that same year, beginning their family that would in time number three sons and two daughters.
Her family was her life's work, her passion and what drove the dynamo that we all knew as Kris. The house was filled with love, music and fellowship. Every member of the family played one or more instruments, with Kris playing the cello that Jens gave her.
To Kris, work was a gift. For many years Kris cleaned houses, often with the help of her daughters. Many of her clients became lifelong friends. They all lamented when in 1999, Kris began working for Liberty and Victory Charter Schools of Nampa, having first volunteered at Lincoln and Iowa Elementary Schools beginning in 1989. She admired the commitment of the faculty and students and brought to her work a persistence of purpose shown through work done daily without pretense. Like almost everyone she came into common contact with, her coworkers were touched by Kris's loyalty, kindness and devotion and she was beloved by students, teachers and administrators alike. Her friends there have since named the Liberty Charter High School commons area "Kris's Commons."
Kris knew, to the core of her being, what an important wonderful thing it is to be alive. Her family created the phrase, "It's good to be Kris!" to capture how she relishes the simple joys that were everywhere in her life: Pepsis with lots of ice, dancing to the music of her children's bands, big pancake breakfasts with friends and family, bargain hunting, skiing at Bogus Basin and date nights with Jens. She was abundantly generous, tireless in her kindness and met each day with a joy for life that was like gravity - it affected everyone.
Kris was a valiant daughter of her Heavenly Father. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in the Young Women's program presidency. She loved the girls in her group. She lived and loved the Gospel and was an amazing example of the love, kindness and righteousness of a Christ-like life.
With very few exceptions, those that came to know Kris came to love her: her presence, her jokes, her generosity, her loyalty, her energy, her love of life. Her passing has left a hole in our hearts that time will only diminish, not eliminate. However, that's the price you pay when you've had the honor and privilege to have had someone as incredible as Kris in your life. It truly is "good to be Kris!" or to have ever known Kris Jensen.
Kris is survived by husband Jens Jensen, son Jeremy (Sarin) of Boise, daughter Lindsey (Justin) Archuleta of Nampa, son Elijah of Boise and his girlfriend Kendelle Vogt, daughter Rachael of Portland, OR, son Noah of Nampa, parents Neil and Carlene Lindsey of Nampa, brother Bruce (Marilee Keys) Lindsey of St. Louis, sister Kim (Stan) McCain, nephews Scott (Mandy), Brad (Ashley) of Nampa, grandchildren, Kodee and Lily Archuleta, Josie Jensen, Sophia Archuleta, Amelia and Sylvia Jensen, extended family on the Jensen side and the family dog Pepper.