Michael Jensen

Michael Gail Jensen
1954-2016
West Jordan, UT

Michael Gail Jensen, 61, passed away on June 25, 2016 after a valiant and courageous eight-year battle with cancer. Mike was born on July 2, 1954, in Mt. Pleasant to Bob G. and Joyce Crandall Jensen. He married and was sealed for time and all eternity to Donna Petersen in the Jordan River Temple, September 25, 1982.

Mike spent his early years helping his father run the family store in Manti, always assuming that’s where he would stay. The time spent at the family store gave Mike his incredible work ethic, something that stuck with him the rest of his days. After studying Business Administration at Snow College, and then Business and Finance and Social Sciences at Utah State University, Mike decided to pursue a career in banking. He developed a great passion for his work, having worked for nearly 40 years in various locations and aspects of the field, including Valley Bank, Irwin Union Bank and Zions Bank. More than his ethic, Mike also showed his immense bravery in this work as he dealt with, and sometimes thwarted robberies at gunpoint. When he wasn’t playing the role of hero, Mike was busy making friends. He was a natural at developing relationships with his clients. He had a personality that just drew people in.

Beyond his career, Mike had a great passion for all aspects of his life. He was a great athlete in his youth, playing football for Manti High School. He loved the outdoors, skiing in the winter, pheasant hunting with his brothers and cousins and of course making the annual trip to the Jensen family deer hunt; where he earned the famous nickname “Mutt” (a moniker he passed on to his son). Mike had a great love of nature. Year after year, he would spend countless hours cultivating his beautiful gardens, which were often the pride of the neighborhood. And, like all Jensen’s, Mike was an avid golfer. Any chance he got, Mike would play a round of golf at courses all across the country. Mike also had a great love of travel. He loved to visit all sorts of places and to absorb all the different cultures of the places he visited. More than the destination, he loved the journey, so long as he spent it with his beloved wife Donna.

Mike loved his family above all else and he showed that love every day. He dearly loved his wife Donna and was never happier than when he was by her side. Whether they were traveling, going to the movies, or just spending time together at home, their love was evident to all those around them. Mike took great pride in his two children. He would boast about their accomplishments to anyone who would listen. Seeing his daughter get married was certainly one of the happiest days of his life.

Mike’s last eight years were harrowing and difficult to say the least. Diagnosed with cancer in 2008, doctors originally gave him mere months to live. However, through his strength, courage and faith, he proved that the illness would not beat him so easily. In these trying years, Mike constantly looked to the Gospel for strength and comfort. No matter the difficulties placed before him, he knew that God would never, could never abandon him. His faith sustained him and that faith was a shining beacon to all those around him. For his loved ones know that they will be reunited once more. And most importantly, they know that throughout it all, the highs and the lows, in the end, he was happy.

Mike is survived by his wife: Donna Petersen Jensen, West Jordan; his children: Angela (Ian) Ansbergs, Salt Lake City; Matt Jensen, West Jordan; his brothers: Jeff (Cathy) Jensen, Cottonwood Heights; John (Kay) Jensen, Manti; many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He loved them all.

Mike’s family would like to thank Dr. Justin Call and his amazing nurses and staff at Utah Cancer Specialists. And also all the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff at the Intermountain Medical Center.

Viewings will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Westbrook Stake Center, 4113 W 6200 S, West Jordan, Utah and again on Friday, July 1, 2016 from 9:45-10:45 a.m. followed by funeral services held July 1, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Mountain View Memorial Estates, 3115 E 7800 S. Funeral Directors: Cannon Mortuary, Salt Lake City.

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