Elma A. Jensen, 93

Elma A. Jensen, 93, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at her home near Kelso Lake.

Elma was born Nov. 28, 1918, on Thanksgiving Day in Viola, Wis., to Amelia Frances and Alfred Benton Carruthers. Elma was the youngest of seven children. Her father died when she was 2 and her mother raised her as a single parent with the assistance of her older siblings. She graduated from Withee High School where she met her future husband, Peter C. Jensen III. They were married Jan. 21, 1937.

While residing in Withee, Wis., they had their first son, Peter C. Jensen IV. Military service during World War II took them to Brownwood, Texas, where Melvin Charles joined the family. In 1945, Uncle Sam moved them to Colorado Springs where their family was completed with the addition of Sigard Allen and Ann Marie.

Near Fort Carson, Colo., Pete and Elma purchased their first home, a small cattle ranch, where they resided until 1966. At that time they moved near Kelso Lake in Idaho into an incredible community where Elma lived until her death.

Elma was creative in many ways. Through sewing she provided clothing for all her family plus quilts and shirts and dresses for the grandkids. She leather tooled, knitted beautifully, embroidered, crocheted, did ceramics plus cooked and gardened for her family.

One of her main interests in life was missions. She faithfully prayed for and wrote to missionaries regularly. She served on mission boards at church, taught Sunday School and regularly participated in church activities.

Although Elma succumb to advanced dementia, her spiritual awareness and vitality remained vibrant to her final day. It was common for her to pray with and for those who visited.

Elma was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, son Melvin in 1967, husband Pete in 1989 and great-grandchild Amber Rose in 2005.

She is survived by her two sons, Peter and Sig and their wives; and her daughter, Ann, all live on the family property near Kelso. Elma has 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She has left an inspiring legacy.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, at New Song Bible Church in Sagle.

Lakeview Funeral Home, Sandpoint, is handling the arrangements. Please visit Elma's online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.