Kirsten lived down the street from me and was a dear friend through our years at Jr. High and High School. I think the last time I saw her was at her wedding. I have many fond memories of Kirsten and our adventure in adolescents, she was a sweet girl and an honestly good, kind and wise companion in an age of lunacy. I cherish all my memories of her and my prayers are with you her family because I know she will be sorely missed.

Message from Janée Gillette

August 26, 2015 11:49 PM

Deann! So happy to hear from you. We had the best group of friends any girls could ever want. Kirsten was our petite, shy, fragile center, almost like an Audrey Hepburn doll. Yet she was a leader in all things cool-music, clothing, style. She was
amazingly open-minded and wise. Losing
Kirsten is a tragedy. I've vowed to never again lose track of any of our wonderful
neighborhood group of friends. We'll get together soon to celebrate our wonderful friend, Kirsten!

A candle was lit by Mary Wilkinson Glick on August 25, 2015 9:21 AM

Message from Janée Gillette

August 25, 2015 8:49 AM

My dear, dear friend Kirsten. From the time that Kirsten joined us at East Millcreek Elementary School, I felt like Kirsten was my best friend and I was her best friend. And I think every one of us in our "group" knew that we were her best friend as well.
Kirsten is one of those few people who is
liked or loved by every single person who
has known her. She is probably one of the
sweetest and most pure spirits I have been
blessed to know in life--ever smart, quiet,
funny, and sweet. She could laugh so
easily. The memory of our 6-girl two week
camping trip to California will last me to the
end of life-Alzheimer's or not! We thought
we were hippies for sure! Kirsten is an example of the quiet peace that one can only have when there is truth inside and love for everyone. No one I know has lived a life so exemplary of this. Though our hearts are broken, I'm sure Heaven is happy to finally have her there. Love you, Kirsten. Janée

Message from Marjorie Bills Hutchins

August 24, 2015 10:00 PM

To share all my memories and experiences with my cousin, Kirsten would be practically writing a whole book on childhood and youth. But I would like to share just one memorable activity that we took together in our high school days. We were six friends who planned a road trip so well, that our parents couldn’t refuse us their permission. I was a junior of 17 years, and Kirsten was a sophomore. There were the two Gillete sisters, Jeralee and Jenay, Kathy Peterson, our friend Amy, Kirsten and myself. As we pulled out of my home for the new freeway (I-80), my mother took me aside and suggested that we should have a prayer before we started our long journey to California. I did that as we waved good-by, and because I had brought it up, Kirsten and then the others elected me to offer the prayer. We stopped the car around the corner on 29th South, and I offered up my best prayer for safe journey and fine friendships, and I included also a silent prayer just between myself and God, that we five would have an opportunity to share our faith with our best friend Amy. We had a long hot drive through the desert where we all got on each others nerves at one point, and then, as best friends will do, all pulled back together in a unity that is hard to describe other than what ‘best friends’ means. We arrived at Yosemite National Park and set to making a campfire encircled by our six sleeping bags all heads facing toward the embers and flame. In the car I found myself with Amy using the dome light to see as we prepared for bed. There, she asked me just out of the blue a question, the subject that we had all been unsuccessful in breaching in the past, although we had often wanted to: “There are just two things that I don’t understand about your religion, first how could Joseph Smith see an angel, and What is this Book of Mormon?” I began to share and as I spoke, the night and the darkness came on. I don’t know when I noticed it, but at one point there was Kirsten who had joined us so silently and sweetly as the dialogue continued, until I noticed that all six girls had been sitting there in the dark silence listing to the story that poured out as if some other story teller was speaking. Then I found that we were all in tears as the story continued. At someone’s suggestion we all retired to our sleeping bags, where we covered the whole story from cover to cover of the ancient inhabitants of America well into the early morning hours. Each girl including Amy wiping silent tears throughout the night. That was a campfire with Kirsten that I will never forget. That trip was a bonding experience that was and still is sweet in our minds. We will always be close to Kirsten . . . so until we meet again, dear cousin . . .. farewell for a little while.

Message from Marie Bills Hansen

August 24, 2015 3:06 PM

Dear Jensen family,

I had so much fun growing up with the Jensen cousins--they were my best friends.. So sorry for your (our) loss, but good to know that Families are Forever.
I sent an email to Brent's kids about Kirsten's passing. The following is a reply that I got from Sarah. I thought you might like to read it.

"Marie,
Thank you for your email. Kirsten's daughter Meg and I are "friends" on Facebook, but I hadn't seen her post yet. Thank you for letting me know the news. I wouldn't be surprised a bit if my dad were there to greet Kirsten along with Grandma and Grandpa Snyder. That's a beautiful thought.
I only have a few recollections of Kirsten, and though vague, they are all very positive. I remember Dad being so thrilled to have her come to the fireworks. That's when Meg and I were introduced and became friends. It's fun when your parents have grown up together and been good friends.
Please give my love to Aunt Joy and Uncle Glenn, and to Grandma as well. We love you all SO much!

Sarah and family"

A candle was lit by Lynnda (Roberts) McGowan on August 23, 2015 10:43 AM