Betty Jean (Averett) Jensen

I passed away at home on Sunday morning August 21, 2022, after a long bout with living, and dying.  I wouldn't have had it any other way, except maybe to live longer perhaps in less pain and with my hearing and sight back; but, "oh well, whatever," as I like to say.  I did recently tell my son it's hard to be at the end, this much is true.  But I made it to my 90th birthday.  

I was born in Springville, UT, on August 18, 1932, into the love story of Marva Iris Hiatt and Elmo Mason Averett.  I was the second child in a family of four.  Noreen was first, then myself, and soon after Dad got his boy, Robert Elmo.  LaRae was the youngest.  A farm accident took my dad in September of 1939.  We later moved to Aurora, UT when I was thirteen, just starting eighth grade in school in Salina.  Good times and good friends!  Mom had me take voice lessons for a year before the move, and I loved to sing all through my school years and throughout my life.  I thank Mom and Heavenly Father for my voice.  

My high-school sweetheart was Bruce Herbert Jensen, whom I married in the Manti Temple in 1951.  We had a beautiful daughter, Conne Lee, who was seven years old when we moved to Canyon Rim in September, 1959; this was a beautiful area close to the mountains and convenient to the university and everything our valley has to offer.  I helped Bruce obtain his architectural degree, and he began work in campus planning at the University of Utah, where he became Director and Campus Architect.  Two more children were added to our family group: “Sandy” (Bruce H. Jensen Jr.), and Jennifer.  Bruce ended up leaving the family, unfortunately, something I never quite recovered from, but I did the best I could.  It did make me a bit, shall we say, feisty.  I loved to travel and began my profession as a travel agent, which allowed me to travel with the kids.

Ours has always been a lively household.  Sandy and Kent Rytting from up the street annoyed the neighbors with numerous bands rehearsing in the garage.  Beautiful Jen was swimming her way through school; a melody in the water was her smooth backstroke.  Lovely Conne married but later after her own divorce she and my first grandson Andrew joined us here.  Coy Clawson was wonderful with Andrew in scouting, as (long before that) was Fred Ferre and so many others with Sandy.  The family has enjoyed many friendships from this neighborhood, and so many of you loved and helped us -- and me -- along the way.  We are all so, so grateful.  Conne now lives in Nevada, and, since the passing of her second husband Michael Forrest, lives with Andrew, his wife Laura and my first two great-grandchildren.  Sandy and his wife Tracy have three lovely children: Shalese (husband Marc McKay plus my second two grandkids), Nicholas Aaron, and Kelsey June.  Jen hasn’t found her Prince Charming but is happy and beautiful.  I am filled with love and pride for my children, grandchildren and great-grandkids!  

This has been my home for over 60 years and I love our neighborhood, Ward and Stake.  The musical talent is amazing and I enjoyed singing in the choir until I could no longer keep up.  This is a wonderful neighborhood in which to raise children, and we have cherished the support and goodness, the kind people and friends we have always known here, too many to name.  The sunsets are glorious.  Fall colors seem to lift our spirits.  I feel a spirit of love for everything and everyone, immeasurably amplified now.  

To my friends and extended family, my nieces and nephews, I've loved you so much.  Darling Vicky, Kris, and Sheila, and Gayleen and Randy before, there are not words, but I believe you understand.  I have always loved and adored you deeply, and have always been so happy for what you have with your families, just as with LaRae's and Robert's families.  

To my family, my dear children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: I love you so, so much. You do not know.  You know me, and have seen me at my worst, it's true.  I'm so sorry to have left that legacy.  Please forgive me.  I'm sorry I couldn't do better.  I would have, if I'd have only known how.  I know you tried to help me.  Yes, I was overly stubborn and headstrong.  Please forgive me for that, too.  

Just know: I am aware of who I was.  I can admit that openly now.  I am deeply passionate, for better or worse.  Knowing, loving, and especially caring for me was often hard, I'm sorry for that.  I know I owe countless apologies, I offer those now.  I also owe deep and sincere, humble and heartfelt thanks, I offer this too.  You did help me.  You helped me live alone and die in the home I love.  It was a lot to ask, I admit.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.  Know this too: the most important thing to me in my life was love and sharing love.  It was relationships.  It was family.  It may not have always seemed that way, but it's true.  Thank you for the love you offered me and my family.  Thank you for helping me and my family.  I am eternally grateful.  To my children: take care of yourselves, and one another.  Family, love and relationships kept me living 90 years.  Help each other live, and enjoy.  I look forward to seeing your beautiful faces again.

Now go do something fun!

-- Betty Jensen with a little help from Sandy

Interment services will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery Monday the 29th of August, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.  Preceding this there will be a viewing at Holbrook Mortuary on 3251 South 2300 East in Salt Lake, 10:30-11:30 a.m.