Obituary - Gregory Allen Jensen

Gregory Allen Jensen, born on Nov. 3, 1956, lived his 59 years as a shining rainbow to all his family, friends, students, colleagues and community making everyone he met feel important.

He lived most of his life in Havre until moving to Alaska where he graduated from Ketchikan High School. He graduated from MSU-Northern with a degree in education and set out on his lifelong path of teaching children, sharing his love of tennis and supporting his colleagues.

Those who knew and loved him describe Greg as funny, generous and kind. To his wife, Joan, Greg was a best friend and a lifelong dance partner. The two met at a jitterbug class in Havre in 1977 and were married in June 1978. They moved to Conrad where Greg spent over 30 years as a second-grade teacher and an elementary principal for six more. Greg made all his students feel special and influenced many to become teachers. Committed to his profession, he was active in the Conrad Education Association and also as a board member for MEA-MFT.

Upon retiring in 2015, he and Joan moved to Missoula to be close to their daughters, Tara and Tia. He was an indelible force in the lives of his children - he loved them fiercely. To Billy, Tia's husband, he became a father as well. As Papa to Tia and Billy's son Will, Greg found one of his most treasured roles. Through his example, Greg taught his family to constantly seek out new experiences.

Greg loved the young and old alike. In Missoula, he volunteered for CASA of Missoula and enjoyed lunches at the Senior Citizens Center. In his free time, he enjoyed gardening and giving gifts. He was an avid runner and tennis player.

Greg is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Leona, and his brothers Leland, Melvin and Delbert. He is survived by his wife, Joan; his daughters, Tara Jensen and Tia Metzger; son-in-law, Billy Metzger; and grandson, Will. He is also survived by his sisters, Peggy Freier (Irene Arvey) and Darlene Jensen; and his brothers Royal and Pat (Mary) Jensen.

A funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 3 p.m., at Christ the King Catholic Church in Missoula. A celebration of his life will follow at 5 p.m,. at the Stensrud Building, 314 N. 1st Street W, Missoula.

A special gathering will be at the Conrad High School Gymnasium on Friday, March 4, at 4 p.m. with a reception to follow at the Pondera Golf Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Conrad Scholars, c/o Greg Jensen Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 787, Conrad, MT 59425.