In Memory of HOWARD L. JENSEN October 29, 1910 - January 10, 2005 HOWARD L. JENSEN As I contemplate the graduation of Howard Jensen from this earthly state to the next phase of his eternal Existence my mind and heart race with remembrance and gratitude.  Howard is deserving of a place on a list that each of us keep, consciously or unconsciously. Persons who make it to the list typically ‘earn’ their way on by doing something for you or to you or by behaving –or –loving in ways that are unique. My personal list is not a long list when consideration is given to the hundreds of potential candidates, but each person has earned his or her way on. I am not clever enough to give my list a special title so I have adopted the name used by the Readers Digest, in which various writers share their expressions and descriptions of persons in a monthly feature entitled “The most unforgettable character I’ve ever met.” I wanted to share why Howard Jensen is one of the most unforgettable characters I’ve ever met. First, we know from the scriptures and revealed concepts about the nature of God, our Heavenly Father that he is no respecter of persons and that he loves each one of us equally. I believe in the concept of a loving father. I also believe that some of us, his children, love Him more than others. From the first time I met Howard, I had a sense that he had the capacity to love far beyond what he saw and heard   For some feeling love far exceeds our capacity to express love.  Howard had no problem expressing his love. He did so openly and without reservation, embarrassment or hesitation.  Everyone in our family felt the power of his declarations of appreciation and love. He did it in a very personal way that made us feel special to him. Who can forget his love poems? Howard didn’t pass them out frivolously. They were composed through intense effort-maybe even some pain and frustration,  but he struggled until they said what he wanted them to say. When Howard wrote a poem about you, you knew that you had been the entire focus of his thought-processes until the words and the meter reflected the feelings in his heart. We are fortunate to have his words preserved on his own plates of brass to remind us of his special feelings. Howard is unforgettable because he loves his Savior and practiced his teachings every day of his life. To Howard, Christ’s atonement is not a theory or a hope.  It is real. It is logical. And it is true. If Howard ever questioned the reality of the atonement he never let on. We know he had some questions that troubled him, and he said so.  But on his personal relationship with God the Father and His son, there was no doubt  Howard loved being a great Dane Canadian cowboy. Much of what he became in life had roots in the bankhouse, or out on the prairie with the herd and the hands. He never forgot the power of example-good or bad, that came from those humble beginnings. Howard adored all of us.  When he took on the second family, he got more than he bargained for.  He got more love than he could have imagined-especially from daughters and grandchildren who absolutely and sincerely adored him. How can we ever forget that great trip to St. George to see Howard when he was so ill.   The love from and to Lindsay, Becca and Thi was palpable and joyous. We cannot, and will not let the memory of this unforgettable character dim in our hearts and minds. He left grandpa's shining mountain as a memorial, but more importantly, we have grandpa’s sterling character to help us set higher standards for each of us to aspire. As has been said of many unforgettable characters-we are happier for his presence.  All our love The Jim Winegar  Family Read the Daily Herald Obituary