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Beth Lorraine Baum Jensen died in Memorial Hospital on November 5th, 2011 after an extended illness. She was born in Cambridge Kansas on May 2, 1925 to Frank and Glendoris (nee Evans) Baum. She attended grade school in Cambridge and won the State Championship for fifth graders in elocution and spelling. It would be the first of many academic honors in her life.
The family, including her three brothers Archer, Gene, and Duane came west in 1938 during the Great Depression, after selling the family’s grocery store in Cambridge. They settled in Wapato, where she graduated from high school, and worked in the fields and orchards of the area saving every penny until the family was able to buy another small grocery store in Grandview. During WWII she worked for Lockheed Aircraft, and later joined the Navy as a V-12 Nursing student at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
She married Ted A. Jensen on June 14th 1947, and the two were inseparable until her death, enjoying many adventures in life including the births of their children, Ted Junior in 1948 and Karen in 1954.
When she married she had to leave nursing school, since there was a rule that married women were not allowed to enter or continue in the nursing program. Years later, in her late thirties, she went back and finished, because times and rules had changed and married women were allowed. There was still a distinct prejudice against them however, a belief that married women, particularly those children, simply wouldn’t be able to rise to the level required to complete the training. This motivated Beth to prove them wrong and when the State Board tests came back at the end of her training, it was revealed that she had gotten the highest score ever in the State of Washington for the Registered Nurse State Boards. She accepted the recognition and praise with a quiet humility and determination to maintain extremely high standards in everything she did. This was to be a hallmark of her life; everything she did she did well, but never allowed herself to become over proud. Later she started the Health Careers program at Davis High School that was eventually moved to YVCC and is currently still in existence.
After she retired from teaching she finally indulged her passion for antiques and became an antique dealer, opening and operating two antique shops successfully. With her proceeds she and Ted were able to travel the U.S. and the world in search of antiques and adventure. They visited 54 countries, some of them twice, and every state but Arkansas.
She is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Glendoris, an older sister Claire who died in infancy, as well as her beloved brothers Archer, Gene and Duane. She leaves behind her loving husband of 64 years, Ted Jensen, who was and will always be the love of her life and the rock of her foundation. Her son Ted Jensen, Jr. and her daughter Karen Jensen Woodin (Frank) as well as her grandchildren Teddy and Chad Jensen, and Jeremy and Liliana Woodin, plus 5 great-grandchildren, 3 nieces and their families, and many friends. The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the wonderful caregivers at Chandler house especially Yessie, Kris, Sonia, Judy, Moreia, Scott, Gladys, Nichole, Lakisha, Janet, Linette, and others.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to diabetes and Alzheimer’s research.
Visitation will be offered on Thursday, November 10 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Valley Hills Funeral Home chapel in Yakima. From Terrace Heights Drive, take a left at Keys Road, then your next right on Business Lane. Funeral services will take place on Friday at 11:00 a.m. also at the funeral home. Graveside committal will be held immediately following the service at West Hills Memorial Park in Yakima. Online condolences may be made at www.valleyhillsfh.com.
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Our heartfelt sympathy to you Ted, and your family. Beth will be well remembered for her graciousness and character in whatever she chose to do. Beth was always a charming lady and you were very fortunate Ted, to have her in your life for so many years. May you be comforted as your family and friends surround you at this sad time.
Our love and prayers from your cousin,
Shirley and John McKercher
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