Anne D. Jensen, 51, passed away at home Friday evening February 6, 2009 as the result of colon cancer.

Anne was born January 8, 1958, to Ernest and Vi Leonardi in Wakefield, MI, the fourth of eight children. The family relocated to Gladstone, MI, in 1968. Anne graduated from Gladstone High School in 1976. A year later, she married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Ray Jensen. The young couple started their family in 1980 with the birth of their daughter Audrey. They moved to Colorado Springs, CO, in 1981, and their family grew with the birth of their son Sam in 1988. They moved back to Gladstone in 1997.

Anne, known for her caring nature, proudly worked for more than 25 years in nursing, most recently with the Department of Public Health and OSF Hospital. She was a person of strong faith and was actively involved in All Saints Church, assisting with the youth group and youth choir. Always one to enjoy life to its fullest, Anne loved camping, talking, horseback riding, skiing, talking some more, and playing any and all kinds of games.

Anne is survived by husband Ray Jensen; daughter Audrey Jensen; son Sam Jensen; mother Vi Leonardi; siblings Steve (Kathleen) Leonardi, Mary (Rick) Coleman, Peter (Kariss) Leonardi, Joe (Lili) Leonardi, Paul (Tracie) Leonardi, Patricia (Lynda) Leonardi, and John (Karen) Leonardi; mother-in-law Ellen Jensen; and many wonderful sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by father Ernest Leonardi and sister Therese Leonardi (stillborn).

Friends can join the family in celebrating Anne’s life at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 from 3:00 to 6:20 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 7:00 PM at All Saints Church in Gladstone with Rev. Fr. Arnold Grambow officiating. Luncheon will follow in the All Saints Church Parish Hall. Burial will be in Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone. Memorial donations may be made to the Delta County Cancer Alliance or All Saints Church Elevator Fund.

Anne will be missed more than words can convey, but her bright spirit lives on. Psalm 23 was her favorite: Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.