Vicki Vance Jensen

Vicki Jensen

Vicki Vance Jensen, age 61, passed away unexpectedly on November 27, 2021 at her home in Woodinville, WA due to complications with COVID-19 pneumonia.  Vicki is survived by her husband of 39 years + seven days, Alain Jensen, and their five children: Cherisse, Justin (Shelly), Tyler (Courtney), Brett, and Karli; as well as five cherished grandchildren – Clara (7), Jack (5), Noah (3), Jackson (2), and Theodore (2 months).

Vicki is also survived by her parents, Ron and Anna Loye Vance, all six of her siblings: Kevin, John, Steven, Melvin, Brian, Melanie, and her in-laws, Bernard and Eloise Jensen. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.

Vicki was born March 25, 1960 to Anna Loye Van Wagoner and Ronald Vance in Montebello, CA. She was the second of seven children. It was in Campbell, CA where Vicki began elementary school that she first met her future husband, Alain, in Primary. Vicki’s family later moved to Rochester, MN where she spent most of her High School years before moving back to Los Gatos, CA for her senior year. Vicki graduated from Westmont High School in 1978.

Alain and Vicki renewed their childhood friendship after high school and after Alain’s missionary service when Alain visited California for a family reunion. They were married on November 20, 1982 in the Oakland California Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They began their life together in Washington state and they have lived in Woodinville, WA for nearly 39 years.  Vicki enjoyed living in the Seattle area, going on drives around the Puget Sound, and seeing the sights on the local ferries. She also loved experiencing new foods and restaurants in the area.

Vicki was full of life and fun. She loved to play card games, talk and visit, as well as pull pranks on unsuspecting friends. Vicki was loyal, kind, and always willing to help. She loved to plan and decorate for all kinds of gatherings. The annual Jensen family camping trips at Ensign Ranch which Vicki planned, drew such large numbers of friends and neighbors it became the annual Ward Camp Out too. Vicki was a friend to all.

Vicki was a natural mother. She loved and adored all children, particularly her own children. She was always proud of the many good things they accomplished and cherished the silly things her children said and did. She was always retelling sweet anecdotes from their childhood. Vicki also loved being a grandma and always had pictures and stories to tell about her grandchildren. Vicki had a “grandma bag” full of toys and her grandchildren loved to play with the toys with her and “call” each other on old cell phones.

For the first 20 years of her life, Vicki was an only daughter with five brothers. Vicki was thrilled to finally have a sister when Melanie was born. Her mother used to often say that Vicki prayed so hard for a baby sister, that it finally worked. Vicki loved children and babies.

She will always be affectionately known as “Miss Vicki” to the many children she taught and mothered as a preschool teacher for several years. Vicki also enjoyed serving the children in her area as a member of the Stake Primary Presidency and as a Primary Chorister.

Vicki was artistic and creative. She loved to share her talents through crafting, painting, Stampin’ Up, card-making, decorating, serving others, and numerous church callings.  She was an excellent cook. Vicki was innovative and loved to explore new recipes. The VanWagoner Family Cookbook she wrote and illustrated is a family heirloom.

Vicki had a number of health challenges throughout her life. A few years ago and against all odds, she survived necrotizing fasciitis. Through it all she always maintained a sense of humor and rode the waves of life with grace.

Vicki loved her soulmate, Alain, and her family very much. Vicki also loved her Heavenly Father and her Savior, Jesus Christ. She had a testimony of the restored gospel and always kept on the covenant path. Vicki knew that families are forever. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A memorial celebration of a life well-lived will be held for Vicki Vance Jensen on January 15, 2022 at 1PM. Due to the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic and out of an abundance of caution, please do not attend the memorial in-person unless specifically invited by the Jensen family. The memorial will also be broadcasted on Zoom.

Thank you to Barton Family Funeral Service for their care and help at this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alain’s GoFundMe campaign, found here: https://gofund.me/9bce1e86. Thank you to all those who have reached out with love and support to Alain and Vicki’s family.