Frances S. Jensen

On Monday, July 6, 2020, Frances Jensen, loving wife, mother and grandmother passed away at the age of 90.

Frances was born on December 29, 1929 in The Salvation Army Women’s Home in Los Angeles, California to Mary Belle McDonald. On December 14, 1948, in Santa Monica, California, she married her high school sweetheart, James Jensen. She was the typical 1950’s housewife who served dinner to hubby as he walked through the door, cleaned, did laundry and single handedly raised the kids while looking as glamorous as can be.

Jim and Frances met when the youth group from the Nazarene church went on a “snow party” trip to the San Bernardino Mountains. They went with other dates, but at some point in the early afternoon, after a toboggan accident forced them to return early, Frances ended up sitting with Jim and there was no interruption to their relationship until Jim’s death in 2000.

Because of Jim’s military service, just days after the wedding, they boarded a Greyhound bus in Santa Monica to ride to their new home in Warrenton, Virginia. This was Frances’ first trip out of Southern California. As they traveled through Maryland, Frances witnessed her first snowfall. That was the start of living in numerous locations all over the world including Virginia, Philippine Islands, Alaska, England, Germany, Pasadena, Indianapolis, Idaho, Dominican Republic, Florida, Peru, Ecuador and Guatemala. And from those locations they traveled extensively seeing Europe, South America, Canada, Mexico, and all 50 states.

Frances fondly remembers their first home in Harrogate, England, before government quarters were available. Since there were no grocery stores in England, she had to learn how to shop visiting the butcher, the baker, the dairy shop, the ice cream store, and the fruit and vegetable shop. She fondly recalls the meat hanging from hooks, at the butcher, and having to learn how to describe the cut of meat she desired.

It was a cold November day in 1960 when the entire family attended the Guy Fawkes Day fireworks celebration in England. An accidental ignition of a rocket sent it hurling into the crowd striking Frances in her abdomen. She was wearing her parka from Alaska which provided some cushion, still her hands and abdomen were burned. A friend sitting nearby, Sgt. Clarence Denn, grabbed the rocket with his bare hands, pointed it toward the sky and let it go where it exploded safely out of range. Sgt. Denn’s clothing was burned and he suffered severe burns to his arm and right side. For his selfless actions and quick thinking, he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal, the highest peacetime award for heroism. (Jim was working at the event and not with the family at the time of the accident.)

In 1966 Jim, now a Captain in the US Army, was deployed to Qui Nhon, Viet Nam. Halfway through his tour he was promoted to Major and transferred to Saigon. Frances maintained the Homefront taking care of their house and three children. She watched the nightly news to try to stay abreast of what was happening and Jim wrote daily—although the mail was often delayed causing stress. Frances says this “was the most unpleasant time of our entire marriage.” In the middle of his tour, Jim came home unannounced for a furlough. Frances was shopping with her mother who was visiting from California. When she pulled into the driveway, Jim through open the garage door to surprise her. Frances jumped out of the van, with it still in gear, leaving her mom in the car to nearly hit a tree. Thankfully it came to a stop before hitting the tree and causing damage or injury.

Arlene, Susan and Larry, their three children, surprised Jim and Frances with a 50th wedding anniversary that started with renewing their wedding vows—their original vows modified to fit their 50th anniversary. The ceremony was followed by a reception with a wedding cake, made by their daughter Susan, that replicated their original wedding cake. Their son, Larry, a graphic designer, created a book telling their story from birth to the present with pictures, stories and letters from new and old friends. “The presentation of the book at our anniversary reception left us so overwhelmed as to make us nearly speechless…we cried”, stated Frances. The following day Jim, Frances and their three children climbed in a van to drive to St. Louis replicating numerous cross country trips this family of five had taken over the years. They even drove U.S. 40 since the original trips were “pre-interstate” days. “Our children have very vivid (if not fond) memories of those trips!” Frances said, “After 50 years of building untold memories, our children succeeded in building even more.”

After retiring from the US Army, Jim and Frances volunteered for ten years as lay missionaries with the Church of the Nazarene. Coordinating work and witness teams from the US, they served in the Dominican Republic, Florida Keys, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador and Guatemala. Frances was tasked with providing a place for workers to stay, food for them to eat and laundry. This required daily trips to the market to buy what was needed for meals that day. Between team visits, she would often help in the office or sew crafting drapes, furniture covers and so on.

Frances had a passion for sewing and needlepoint. She also loved to garden and cook—especially baking. Desserts were a nightly offering at the Jensen home. Frances never lost her love for travel continuing to take trips with family most of her life. And, like her husband, she loved to serve her God both locally and overseas. She could be found preparing meals for funerals in her local church or work and witness teams in Central or South America. Jim and Frances were often seen working with neighborhood youth and their families or maintaining the facility at Shepherd Community, a faith-based, inner-city ministry that operates on the near Eastside of Indianapolis.

Frances’ prayer for all is to be able to see you again—so how do you do that? Ask Him to forgive you of your sins—those selfish things you do that are not what He wants; making your own decisions about what is right and wrong. Believe He took your sins with Him on the cross. Walk with Him daily through prayer—talking to Him and reading your Bible to build a relationship with Him, knowing who He is, understanding His ways, and wanting what He wants for your life.

Frances is preceded in death by her mother, The Late Mary McDonald; her husband, The Late LTC James Jensen; son-in-law, The Late Robert Franks; and her grandson-in-law, The Late David Ritchie.

She is survived by her daughters: Mary Arlene Franks and Susan (Steve) Remole; her son, Larry (Pam) Jensen; grandchildren: Shannon (Robert) Yowler, Laura (Rob) Ruch, Ryan (Elaine) Remole, Shawna Thomas, Stephanie Ritchie, Scott (Brittney) Remole, Brad (Rachel) Jensen, and Emily (Corey) Alderin; her great-grandchildren: Kevin Knotts, Hope Jensen, Noah Ruch, Isaiah Ruch, Audrey Remole, Joshua Ruch, Olivia Thomas, Nolan Remole, Oliver Thomas, Raeleigh Jensen, Zoey Alderin, Avery Remole, Elyana Jensen, Daphney Alderin, Anna Remole, Camden Jensen, Frances Remole, and Bo Alderin; and great-great-grandchildren: Brooklyn Zaiser-Knotts, Noella Knotts, Kalin Knotts, and Kilah Knotts.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, July 11, 2020 from 10am to 2pm at Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park East, 10722 East Washington St., Indianapolis. A Funeral Service will immediately follow at the funeral home at 2pm. Frances will be laid to rest next to her late husband, Lt. Col. James L. Jensen, at Washington Park East Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shepherd Community Center, 4107 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46201

All guests attending services, per Marion County regulations, must wear a facial covering and follow social distancing guidelines. We appreciate your understanding as we work together for the safety of others while honoring the loss of a loved one. Thank you.