Valarie Sue Jensen Obituary (1961 - 2020)

Loving wife, perfect mother (her daughters think so), ardent friend, devoted teacher and quiet soul graduated from this earth life quietly in her home, on November 8, 2020, after a life-time struggle with multiple auto-immune disorders. She was born in Blackfoot, Idaho, to Martin K Hermansen and Peggy Susan (Cook) Hermansen on December 2, 1961. Both parents were life-long learners and instilled in Valarie a curious mind and love of beauty, in all its forms. Here she learned to play the piano and the violin and to paint. Most of her art hangs in the family home. After graduating as valedictorian from Snake River High School, Valarie went on to attend Brigham Young University and to earn her B.A. in Humanities teaching. She then began teaching, a passion which never left her, even after 33 years, and in 1989, while teaching at a residential treatment center for trouble youth, she met and married (another teacher; not one of her students) a man who became her most devoted student. The couple set up household in Springville and later moved to Provo where both of their children, Hillary Susan (1992) and Corlissa Lee (1994) were born. Shortly after Corlissa's birth the family moved to Pleasant Grove where they lived and loved up to the present time. While attending BYU, Valarie played violin in the University Orchestra and she later joined the Pleasant Grove City Orchestra. She taught private piano lessons to many young people in the area, as well as to her daughters. She served as the pianist in the primary for many years, until her health forced her to give it up. Both of her daughters picked up on her love of music. Hillary learned to play the violin and, although both daughters can blend their voices harmoniously together, Corlissa went on to become a talented vocalist. In 2008 Valarie went back to college on-line and set another example for her daughters by earning her Master's degree. Both daughters also went on to earn Master's degrees as well. Education runs deep in the soul of her family thanks to her example, support and love. Valarie had a deep love of nature and when her health permitted, she loved to hike, fish, and go camping with her family. She loved gazing at the stars and could catch them falling even when her husband could not. She always said that Yellowstone was "hers" and the family traveled there often. Each outing a new stuffed animal was purchased as a reminded of the wild life she could always see out the window. Her poor slow husband missed the sighting, but always found great joy in her excitement. Little know fact, Valarie could string a long bow and was a dead eye archer. Valarie loved to cook and made the flakiest of pie crusts. She had a tremendous sense of humor. Early in the relationship when they were "just friends" Valarie went with the Jensen family on a camping trip. In the night, when the wind picked up, Terry's tent blew down. It was not until later he learned she had loosened all the tent pegs before she went to sleep in a camper, well protected from the storm. On November 25, 1989 Valarie and her newly relabled "boyfriend" were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple and from then on her husband and companion always tried to protect her from the storms of life, she was his rock and teacher. Valarie is survived by her husband Terry Lee Jensen, her daughters: Hillary, and Corlissa (Christopher Hilton) one new grandbaby Genevieve along with sister Laura (Mark Wright). Services will be held on Thursday, November 12 at the LDS Stake Center located at 800 N 100 W in Pleasant Grove. A public viewing 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. will precede this service at Olpin Family Mortuary located at 494 S. 300 E. in Pleasant Grove. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only 10 visitors will be allowed at a time. Family viewing will be 10:00-11:00 at Olpin, again the COVID-19 restrictions will need to be observed, with only a limited number of people to be allowed in at a time. The Family Prayer will be by invitation only, due to the restrictions. We ask for the families' patience in this trying time. After the service, we will have a short graveside service at the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. All those wishing to send flowers or mementos, please send them to Olpin Mortuary 800 N. 100 W. Pleasant Grove. All are welcome to leave words and thoughts on the tribute wall of this website. The service will be broadcast from the stake center, and at the time of this posting the details on this were not know. It will also be recorded, and copies of the service made available to those not in attendance.