Darleene Joyce Jensen

Darleene Joyce Jensen, 84 years old, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2018 in San Angelo, Texas. In her final days, she was surrounded by her beloved children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her youngest son, Paul, was holding her hand at the time of her passing. Darleene was born on July 27, 1934 in Wynot, Nebraska to Henry and Gladys Olsen. She enjoyed her brothers, Dane and Gene, and her sister, Genia, who was also her best friend. Darleene was called to the mission field as a teenager and attended New Tribes Mission in 1953. There, she met and married the one and only love of her life, James Walter Jensen. They were happily married for nearly 50 years until his death in 2002. Darleene was a wonderful stay-at-home mom and missionary partner. She home-schooled her 10 children and taught them to love God, family, and country. Together with her husband, she spent 20-plus years on the Mission field, traveling and witnessing in Cuba, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, Peru, Chile, Brazil, and Taiwan. Darleene modeled purity, modesty, frugality, honesty, gratitude, hard work, resilience, flexibility, dedication to family, good manners, value of education, kindness, service to others, and so much more! She led a sparse life materially; yet through all the hard times, the many, tiring international moves, the never-ending needs of her children, and the subjugation of her desires to the needs of others, she always carried that beautiful smile of hers, the steadiness and grounding of a woman determined to follow God's calling, an aura of gentleness and strength, a beautiful person, inside and out. When Darleene lost her soulmate and husband in 2002, she soldiered on for 16 more years as a prayer warrior for her loved ones, providing comfort, spirituality, advice, and love to her beloved family. Darleene is survived by her children and their families: Jim Jensen: Tiffany and Jason Garey (Christian, Brandon, and Connor), Ben, and Shawn (Izzy). Joe and Sharon Ward: Derek, Matt and Kendra (Jill and Dustin), Jennifer and Bryce Wargin, Luke, Samuel, and Jesse. David and Sherry Jensen: Josh, Sharon and Randy Omark (Olivia, William, Zachary, Wesley, and Andrew), Sarah and Clinton Fortner (Chloe, Sophia, Lilly, Noble, and Verity), Jonathan, and Timothy. John Graboski and Rebecca Jensen: James and Anna, Stephen and Melissa, and Andrew. CV and Rachel Eaton: Kevin and Holly Michel (Nicholas and Kaylee), James, and Morgan. Daniel and Julie Jensen: Brooklynn and Alexander McKinstry, and Louis. Tim and Debi Perry: Karina, Timothy, and Matthew. Reuben and Lisa Jensen: Logan and Taylor, Megan, Justin, Casey, Michaela and family, Vanessa, and Hope. Steve and Holly Jensen: Kirstin and Joel Balman, Lauren, Titus, and Nathaniel. Paul Jensen: Bree. Darleene is survived by her siblings: Genia Riibe, and Gene and Sharon Olsen, and the family of Dane Olsen: Randy, Steve, Denise, Renee, and Michelle and families. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Fern Jensen; nieces and nephews: Don and Cam Riibe; Pat Riibe; Brad and Amy Olsen; Brian and Natasha Olsen; Wayne and Elaine Jensen; Karen and Steve Weber; Ken and Jo Jensen. Darleene was preceded in death and joyfully reunited with her beloved husband, James Walter Jensen; parents, Henry and Gladys Olsen; brother, Dane Olsen; sister-in-law Twila Olsen; brother-in-law Francis Riibe; brother-in-law Phil Jensen; and nephew Dale Jensen. Memorial service will be held Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 2 pm at Harper Funeral Home in San Angelo, Texas. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 15, 2018 at Horse Springs Bible Church in Horse Springs, New Mexico. Darleene will be laid in her final resting spot beside her husband on family property near Quemado, New Mexico. Donations can be made to Cornerstone Christian School, House of Faith, and The Christian Church of San Angelo.