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In Memory Of

Mary Anne Jensen, Age 93 of Townsend

February 25, 1928 – January 4, 2022

Mary Anne (Frey) Jensen

Mary Anne passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 4, 2022.

She lived her life to the fullest, traveling the world and making friends everywhere she went.

Born in Humphrey, Nebraska on February 25, 1928 she moved to Butte, Montana when she was 9. She married the love of her life, David M. Jensen when she was 21. Two kids soon followed. In their adventures she worked right beside her husband, helping to build 6 of the homes they lived in. She was a den mother in Butte and continued to support Boy Scouts throughout her life. She was known for cooking enough food to feed the neighborhood, and her children’s friends were always welcome to join the meal.

She was very artistic as well. She made pottery, spent time at the Archie Bray Foundation in the late 1960’s-early 70’s, and had some of her work displayed at the Smithsonian in 1970. She continued to be a supporter of the Bray after her time there. Mary Anne was an avid sewer and also made beautiful stained glass. She had a passion for genealogy and spent years researching both sides of the family.

Mary Anne and Dave purchased what became known as “The Ranch” in 1973. It took several years of hard work before they moved out there, turning a dusty old sheep ranch into a beautiful flourishing home. It wasn’t unusual to find her out on the riding lawn mower, having what she referred to as “me time” mowing the acres of lawn. Some of her favorite memories from her childhood was having Sunday dinners at her Grandfather’s farm in Nebraska. She carried on the tradition with her own family, making a big Sunday dinner every week, creating memories her children and grandchildren will keep with them forever. Every December she would make Poviticia with her grandkids helping as soon as they were tall enough to reach the table.

A passion for traveling got her involved in the Friendship Force International, taking her to places like Japan, Russia, China, and all over Europe. She always brought back treasures from where ever she visited, sharing the cultures she experienced with her grandchildren. Not only did she enjoy traveling, she would invite the people she met to come stay at the Ranch and give them an opportunity to see and learn about Montana. In 1983 she was awarded the Governor’s Citation, named as an ambassador of the State of Montana.

Mary Anne had a very giving heart, always helping people in need. She was part of the Friendship force and the Salvation Army Board, working to make sure every child could  have gifts under the tree on Christmas. She sponsored Boy Scouts every year, putting together kits with all the supplies the boys would need for camp.

She made the world a better place by being in it, and will be greatly missed.

Mary Anne was preceded in death by: her parents, Florence and Pauline Frey; Her husband, David M. Jensen; her brother, Dale Frey; and her sister Elizabeth Wagner.

Mary Anne is survived by: her children, David (Chris) Jensen and , Kathy (Tom) Budewitz; Brother-in-law, Carman (Louise) Jensen; her grandchildren, Erica Kelman, Emily Budewitz, Tyler (Katie) Budewitz, and Kyle Jensen; her great-grandchildren, Tyler Slipek, Ryder Kelman, Harlynn Kelman, Orin Blazer-Budewitz, Jensen Budewitz-Moore, and Scarlett Blazer-Budewitz, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on June 24th at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church.  A reception will follow the Mass in the fellowship hall of the church.

Service Schedule

Funeral Mass

11 a.m.

Friday June 24, 2022

Our Lady Of the Valley Church

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Reception

Following the Mass

Friday June 24, 2022

Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Service Schedule

Funeral Mass

11 a.m.

Friday June 24, 2022

Our Lady Of the Valley Church

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Reception

Following the Mass

Friday June 24, 2022

Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

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Memories

Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.

  1. Debbie Kcokler says

    January 9, 2022 at 8:18 am

    David and Chris
    I am so sorry to see that Mary Anne had passed away. My thoughts and prayers was with you and your family

  2. Dean Retz says

    January 10, 2022 at 10:20 am

    Dave – Sue and I are so sorry about your loss. So many memories of your father and mother from way back with my parents to building the Valley Bank. I am sorry that you were not able to visit her as much as you had liked.
    God Bless.

  3. Matt Ulberg says

    January 13, 2022 at 7:56 pm

    David and Chris- A more impactful person in my life is hard to imagine. I’m praying for your family and her posterity always. There will always be a special place in my heart for Dave and Mary Anne. I’m eternally grateful for their love and guidance.

  4. Phil & Terry Lamping says

    January 15, 2022 at 6:35 am

    So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  5. Tom Mazanec says

    January 18, 2022 at 6:16 am

    David, I am sorry to hear about your mother. I always enjoyed my time and conversations with her. Her support of scouting is lasting and helped many a young person enjoy out door and leadership activities.

  6. Elliott says

    January 31, 2022 at 4:15 pm

    Mrs. Jensen always made me laugh when I worked at BHC. I was proud to be the only person she trusted to get her blinds EXACTLY the way she liked them. A true original person with wit and personality.

  7. Donna Hodges says

    February 5, 2022 at 9:15 am

    Loved Marry Anne and the memorable times we spent together ❤️ I will miss her smile and kindness! She was my second mother.

  8. Robyn Momper says

    February 6, 2022 at 2:41 pm

    My aunt, Mary Anne was always very special to me. I loved her so. She and my uncle Dave Jensen, her lovely, funny, teasing, and special soul mate, will always be held dear in my heart. I am thankful for all the cherished memories knowing Mary Anne, Dave, and her children David and Kathy. Mary Anne was very generous, a self-taught artist, she made beautiful stained-glass artwork, pottery, was a great seamstress, knew more about quilting than me, and was especially blessed with baking, being a friend, a mother, an aunt, a grand-mother and a great-grandmother; her heart was bigger than the blue skies of Montana. Mary Anne was a confidant, a second mother, a Ya-Ya sister, and a savior to me and my sister, Sharon, and my mother Liz. She was always there for me; she helped with care for her younger sister at a time of great need and distress. There will never be any other person in my life like Mary Anne, I will miss her so much and will always cherish what she meant to me and my family. This is one of the hardest goodbyes for me, but I know we will meet again across the rainbow bridge.

  9. Andrew Glenn Nydam says

    February 18, 2022 at 9:40 am

    Mary Anne was an amazing woman, so giving kind and generous. Her artistic talent and down to earth reasoning and compassion made her a treasure we all will miss.

  10. John Byrd says

    June 27, 2022 at 9:17 pm

    Oh man I was sorry to hear this. but what an amazing life. Many of my fondest memories are of Dave & Mary Anne, great friends of the family.

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Service Schedule

Funeral Mass

11 a.m.

Friday June 24, 2022

Our Lady Of the Valley Church

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Reception

Following the Mass

Friday June 24, 2022

Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Share

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Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist.

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