Lois E. Jensen

Lois Edna Jensen, an amazing mother, dear friend, and a force to be reconned with, passed into eternity April 11, 2025 at the age of 90. Born in Hangzhou China on September 11, 1934, to Lutheran Missionaries, her first years were spent in a concentration camp during World War II. She and her family of 3 sisters, 6 brothers and parents were liberated by the United States in an exchange at sea in 1942.

Growing up in Provo, Utah, she later pursued an education at nursing school in St. Louis, Missouri. It was there she met Byron "Barney" Lee Jensen, who became her greatest partner in the adventures of a lifetime. Lois and Barney were married in 1956, moved around the Midwest, finally settling in Denver with their 3 sons, Michael, David, and James. Sometime in the mid- '60's, Barney discovered Fort Collins, and while Lois swore, she'd never move to "that one horse town," there was something about a rambling house on acreage with horses in a neighborhood called Fairway Estates that won her over.

Eventually hanging up her scrubs at Swedish Memorial, Lois took her prodigious skills to Poudre Valley Hospital in 1971. Her compassion and tireless work ethic took root in Operating Room 10 where her warm hugs and words of encouragement went the extra mile so important to the healing process. Eventually, her extraordinary talent as a nurse made possible the pinnacle of her professional achievements as Surgical First Assistant for the neurosurgeons at the Front Range Center for Brain and Spine Surgery. After decades of work as an invaluable team member, she retired at the age of 83 (no, that is not a typo).

Born with an overabundance of energy, Lois's love of sports became a centerpiece of Jensen life. Many overnights in a station wagon parked in ski area parking lots afforded her first-run access – and good luck keeping up with her on the slopes. Over the years, she added Heli-skiing to the list of great ways to find untracked powder. Skiing out of bounds in Europe also provided access to some memorable downhill adventures.

Since the snow isn't any good in the summer, Lois took to climbing the mountains she loved, completing all of Colorado's 14'ers except for Pikes Peak (if you can ride a train to the top, it's not really a mountain). While snow skiing is out for the summer, water skiing was not, and she made sure to make the most of Warren Lake, Grand Lake and Lake McConaughy in Nebraska. Slalom skiing with a Budweiser in one hand, Lois was an expert who never got her hair wet or smeared her lipstick.

Summer is also the running season and in the late 1970's Lois began to run. A lot. Ultimately, she would run both the Rawhide Marathon locally and the Colorado Run twice. Most impressively, she ran the Boston Marathon 4 times and the New York City Marathon 4 times. At one point, she was ranked 5th in the nation for women over 50.

The one year-round activity added to the menu was cycling. She and Barney, along with a dozen or so dear friends would enjoy road biking locally, nationally and internationally. They even managed to accomplish a trip that had them dipping their rear tires in the Pacific ocean to start the trek and finishing with a dip of the front tires in the Atlantic. She might have skipped the Dakota/mid-west portion (too flat!), but we give her credit for the entire cross country trip.

In 2018, shortly after Lois's retirement, our well-loved local artist Barney died unexpectedly. While devastating for the entire Jensen clan, this surprising turn of events was particularly hard for Lois. Navigating the world without her adventure buddy and the love of her life wasn't supposed to be in the cards. But, in true Lois fashion, an intensely positive attitude gave way to several healthy years spent enjoying Colorado, her son's families and even welcoming a great grand baby to this world she loved so well.

We are so blessed to have been in her life and now take great solace knowing she's in the arms of her Savior. A life truly well lived is something that doesn't happen every day – Lois showed us how it's supposed to look, and we're all better for it. She is survived by her sons Michael (Sheri), David (Susan) and James (Joseph), amazing grandchildren Lauren, Michael (Julia), Christopher and Paul, and one super spoiled great grandson, Scott.

A celebration of life will be held in the Summer; May she rest in peace.