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
Anonymous
A very good friend who kept in touch through out the years. I’ll miss Ann’s Emails and friendship.Ray and I worked together in Colorado Spring, Colorado.
Michael Doughty
Eureka, CA
It’s hard to believe that we who graduated with Anne are saying goodbye. She will always be remembered as someone who had a kind word and thought for everyone.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Someone once told me that the best way to remember someone is to live the rest of our lives for those that we have lost. It will be easy to do so for Anne.
Terry & Patti Jo Peterson
Little Canada, MN
The Lalichs of MN would like to extend our sympathies.
Anne was a classmate of my wife Jeanne (Dehlin) Lalich and Peter and Brian were very close. So sorry for your loss.
Brian J. Lalich
St. Bonifacius, MN
Dear Ray,Audrey & Sam & Leonardi Family
We send you our deepest sympathy and our prayers. I met Anne, when she worked with me at Pediatric Specialists in Colorado Springs. She was the greatest friend you could meet. She had this beautiful smile and her laughter was contagious. I truly enjoyed working with Anne; she was very dedicated to her work and was very compassionate person. She was a great mom, and loved her family very much. I remember when we were both pregnant, her with Sam and me with my first. She enjoyed planning get-togethers. I can still remember the time we all went up to our cabin in the mountains; she loved camping and the outdoors. Anne also loved to talk. I missed that Anne and I did not keep in touch as much after she moved back to Michigan. I guess our lives got busy. She was a wonderful person and I will always remember her warm smile. I’m glad that she touched my life. Whenever I hear a song by John Melencamp it will remind me of my friend Anne.
Juanita (Winnie) & Mike Bochnak
Colorado Springs, CO
Well I worked for her husband at Howland Machine Shop in Colorado Springs for a few Years. I knew pretty good. We all attended a few get togeathers as friends. Anne and her family are real nice people. I know she will be missed by all her knew her.
Scottie Cooley
Colorado Springs, CO
My deepest sympathies to the Leonardi and Jensen families. I always thought alot of Anne. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Wayne Johnson
Gladstone, MI
To Anne,s family, I did’nt know Anne personally, but am friends of both Vi and Ellen. I want to send my deepest sympathies to the whole family. I understand Anne’s faith was strong and she was a wonderful person. Wish I had known her.
Pam Thorbahn
Gladstone, MI
Dear Jensen Family,
I am sorry for your loss. Anne was a great asset to the Michigan WISEWOMAN program in Escanaba. She really cared about the women in the program, and she will be missed.
Robin Roberts
Lansing, MI
Dear Jensen Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Anne’s passing! You guy’s have been in our thoughts and prayers lately and I feel bad that I have not called to talk.
Anne was a great lady and I will always remember that great smile that she had! I know that she touched many lifes, and I for one was fortunate enough to have known her!
Richard Zabukovic (Zuke)
Pueblo, CO
I don’t even know how to express my sympathy. Anne was like a second mom to me, I guess that was her personality. I always remember going over to her house when I was younger, and playing with the two Rotties, Greta and Ross. Then later I would go and play with Rocky. Anne was always in the yard, hanging laundry or working on something outside. When I lost my mom in 2003, Anne was one of the first people to be there for me. And now, God will care for her too. I will miss you very much Anne.
Tyler Belcher
Gladstone, MI
Anne and Bob often had treatments at the same time. Their optimistic attitude and positive outlook on life was something to experience. Neither lost their beautiful smiles throughtout
their treatment. Peace and love to Anne’s family.
Shirley Leveille
Gladstone, MI
I remember the first day she came into the chemo room for chemo – I knew I’d love and respect her from the moment I saw and talked to her. Then when I met up with her again and I was sitting in a chair next to her – she cried for me, not for herself! What a lady!! I think of her everyday because I have the “courage angel” that she gave me on my desk – now, more than ever, I know that she is my (and your) “courage angel”. All my sympathy.
Lori Moreau
Carney, MI
We wish we could be there to join in the celebration of Anne’s life. Know that our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you Let the tears cleanse you, laughter shake you and God renew you. We miss our Anne, but are so thankful and blessed to have shared life with her. Ray, Audrey, Sam, Vi, “the Brothers”, Mary and Patricia (and families) know that you are loved and you will be restored. Our hearts are with you.
The Mesick family
Peyton, CO
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my prayers. I have also placed you in our Adoration Chapel where our sisters will be praying for you each hour on the hour, every day and night. May God bless you and keep you.
Sr Lethia Marie Leveillle
Lafayette, IN
Dear Leonardi family our prayers and sympathy go out to you and to Ray and children of Anne. We are in Reno at present and truly sorry we will not be able to celebrate Anne’s life with you. Please know we are thinking of you all. God bless love Joe and Donna Aird
Donna and Joe Aird
Gladstone, MI
The only time we met Anne was Labor Day weekend 2008, at Annie Fest at Paul and Tracie’s home. What a beautiful woman! (Could she really be Italian and Paul’s sister?) My dad is Italian, born in Verona and Graduated from Wakefeild High School. So we have a lot in common. We know the Leonardi family is very close knit, we hope your love for one another and sense of humor can help to ease your pain. Mary, Marissa, and I will keep Annie and her family and friends in our Prayers.
Our deepest sympathy,
The Castle Family
Oak Creek, WI
Anne’s life will continue to be an inspiration to all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Helen Carter
Boise, ID
Our sincere sympathy to the Jensen/Leonardi family on the loss of Anne. Please know our thoughts are with you.
Sam & Lois Korrick
Grand Blanc, MI
To all the Leonardi and Jensen families, our deepest sympathies. As you may know, several of us followed Anne and Ray out to Colorado and we owe so much to them. Anne truly was one of the sweetest people I have ever met; she was my first girlfriend in 6th grade at All Saints. Ray, we are praying for you and your extended families.
Steven Stock and Family
Woodland Park, CO
Dear Ray, Audrey and Sam, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time of loss. May God wrap his arms around you and give you comfort.
John, Diane and Charles Srutowski
Gladstone, MI
My sympathies to Anne’s family, as well as to Vi and all the Leonardis who played such a large part in our family’s lives. I’m so sorry for your loss of dear Anne.
Toni Bal
Grand Rapids, MI
Dear Ray, Audrey , and Sam,
I never had the privilege of meeting your wife/mom but know in my heart what a wonderful person she must have been because she is reflected in each of you every day and I am thankful for being able to work with both of you. My sincere sympathies to your family and God’s speed to your healing this terrible loss.
Take care, Peter Lodl
Hermansville, MI
My heart and prayers are with you all. My family also send their condolences( Peippo and Bomaster families)
JoAnn Peippo
Escanaba, MI
Ray, Audrey and Sam,
I am so sorry for your loss. Anne was one of our bright spots in the chemo room. She was always so concerned about others and how they were doing and she always made others around her feel they were important. She loved her family and would talk about all of you with great love in her voice. I will miss her…the last day she came, and I flushed her port, she was so strong. I will always remember her courage as she faced this awful disease. She will be your angel on your shoulder.
Yvonne VanEffen
Escanaba, MI
My sincerest sympathy to all, as part of Anne’s OSF Army I will certainly miss her, but you are right she will always be here in spirit. When I look at the picture on her care page of the daisies and the beautifuk blue sky, I so picture her there, basking in the sunshine she so dearly loved, whole and pain free, face to face with her Lord. I will still pray, but instead of for her I will pray to her, one can never have enough angels to help us through the trying times of our lives. What a wonderful loving family she has, and Vi and Patricia thank you so much for the care pages, Anne’s Army here at OSF have been with you in prayer every step of the way. May God bless you all.
Kay Perow
Escanaba, MI
Ray and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Anne was such a wonderful person. It is our prayer that fond memories soon replace the grief you now experience.
Troy & Tina Povich
Green Bay, WI