Anna Lou McKinnon Jensen

Meridian- Anna Lou Everett McKinnon Jensen, 89, passed away 16 January 2015, at Alpine Meadows in Meridian, Idaho.  She was born 31 December 1925, in Hiawatha, Utah, the daughter of  W.R. "Dick" and Christie Thompson Everett.  A sister, Verlie, would later make the family a foursome.  Ann was schooled in Price, Utah where she met and also married, O. Bryan McKinnon, Jr., in 1947.  They quickly added three children to the family, Verlie, Cherry and Bryan.  Seeking greener pastures in his chosen career as a pilot, Bryan moved his young brood to Twin Falls, Idaho in 1951.  A crop dusting accident in 1953, left Ann a widow.  To support her three children, she became a dental assistant.  As part of her quest for constant improvement, she was a long time member and officer of the Dental Assistant Association.  She also served the community as a member of the Altrusa Club until it disbanded in the 1990's.

Another family tragedy in 1963, left her in chronic pain for the rest of her life and damaged her right arm so severely, she had to find a new occupation.  In a typical response, Ann chose hard work and graduated in 1968, as an LPN in one of CSI's earliest offerings.  Her work at Magic Valley Memorial Hospital eventually gravitated to the Nursery.  For many years she not only cared for new arrivals, but also provided comfort and strength for parents who faced unexpected challenges.  Following retirement she worked as a hospice nurse for several years and helped to get the program off the ground.

In 1976, she married R.A. "Bob" Jensen and they settled south of Jerome.  Their more than 30 years together provided a sanctuary for children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, neighbors and friends.  After Bob's passing in 2007, and facing her own declining health, she opted to move to assisted living to remain as independent as possible.  Even there, her primary daily focus was to check on the other residents.

Ann's life was not a pleasure cruise.  Her life's voyage was charted where the waves were high and the winds the loudest.  But Ann was a doer and not a whiner.  She faced sorrows with courage and determination then helped others do the same.  Her greatest legacy is the help she gave to others, quietly and without fanfare.  Her family was always first, but her door never closed on anyone with sorrows of their own.  Those in pain instinctively sought her out and left encouraged.  The gap her passing leaves can only be filled by those left behind reaching beyond themselves to follow her example.

Ann is survived by her children; Verlie (Hoby) Stanger of Twin Falls, Cherry (Jerry) Christian of Meridian, and Bryan (Claudia ) McKinnon of Lehi, Utah; her sister, Verlie Greener of Aurora, CO; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family members and friends.  She is preceded in death by her parents and two husbands.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Saturday January 24, 2015 , in the Jerome LDS 3rd Ward Chapel, 825 East Avenue B, Jerome, Idaho.  A visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.  Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday January 26, 2015, in the Price, Utah, City Cemetery, 595 East 400 North, Price, Utah.  Arrangements are under the care of Farnsworth Mortuary of Jerome, Idaho.