Allen Jensen

Allen Leslie Jensen was born on Aug. 18, 1944, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was the third of nine children born to Helen and Clyde Jensen.

He grew up on a farm in Ririe, Idaho, where he milked cows, rode horses, hauled hay, and learned to fix cars and farm equipment. He participated in the Future Farmers of America program, played football, and won a second place state wrestling title as a senior at Bonneville High School.

He graduated from high school in 1962 and attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.He served in the Honolulu, Hawaii Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1963 to 1965 (just four years after Hawaii was recognized as the 50th state in the country).
After serving a mission, Allen attended Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah, where he studied criminology and sociology.

During one summer break, he took a job in Elko, Nev., working for the Standard Oil Company. He met his boss, Joe Friedman. And a friend later introduced him to BYU student Joellen Friedman, who was home for the summer. The two attended a company party together in Elko, Nev., and continued dating when they returned to BYU.

Allen and Joellen both graduated from BYU in 1969. Shortly after graduation, they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on June 4, 1969. Allen's first job with Standard Oil after college was in Reno, Nev. From there, they moved to California for assignments in Fresno, and San Jose.
Then their family began to grow. Daughter, Alana was born in 1971. Son, Evan, was born in 1974. And daughter, Corianne, was born in 1977, followed by their fourth child, Jana in 1982.

With a young family, Allen decided to make a career change. He began working part-time as a salesman for the specialty advertising company Shaw Barton. With his work ethic, positive attitude, and friendly personality, Allen quickly achieved success.

He was promoted to a managerial position for the Northwest division of Shaw Barton, and moved his family to Hillsboro, Ore., in 1982. He won multiple awards for salesman of the year and manager of the year, which included all-expenses-paid vacations to destinations such as Bermuda, the Kiawah Islands, the Caribbean, and Hawaii.

The company later went through several acquisitions and later became Halo Branded Solutions. Allen was a specialty advertising salesman for 40 years, and was still visiting customers, servicing accounts, and making sales at the time of his passing.

He considered hard work his favorite hobby. But he also enjoyed reading, gardening, camping, and spending time with family.

Allen is survived by his:
Wife: Joellen Jensen, of 48 years, Hillsboro, Ore.

Daughter: Alana Hunter, Salem, Utah.
Son: Evan Jensen, Sandy, Ore.
Daughter: Corianne Bates, Middleton, Idaho.
Daughter: Jana Jensen, Hillsboro, Ore.

Sister: Betty Wilding, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Sister: Valene Willford, Rigby, Idaho.
Sister: Gay Martineau, Pocatello, Idaho.
Brother: Lyle Jensen, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Brother: Dell Jensen, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Grandchildren: Mitchel Hunter, Amelia Hunter, Zachary Hunter, Salem, Utah; Davis Jensen, Jack Jensen, Evalee Jensen, Sandy, Ore.; Adalee Bates, Stephen Bates, Heidi Bates, Jeremy Bates, Middleton, Idaho.

Allen will be laid to rest at Fir Lawn Memorial Park in Hillsboro.