Kathleen Jensen

Kathleen (Tritschler) Jensen, 64, died Sunday, July 28, 2013, from Lou Gehrig’s disease. She fought this terrible disease with grace, optimism and humor.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 2, at 2 p.m. at the Evangelical Church, followed by interment in the Highland Cemetery.

She was born April 22, 1949, in Billings, one of 13 children, to Joseph and Mary Tritschler. She grew up in St. Xavier and graduated from Hardin High School in 1967. She attended Eastern Montana College and graduated with a degree in elementary education.

While student teaching in Wolf Point, she met the love of her life, Jim Jensen. They were married June 7, 1971, after just a two-month courtship, and were devoted to each other for the next 42 years. Together they would have three children, T. Ed, Tyler and Jana.

She taught elementary school in Poplar and at Frontier until 1982. The family then moved to Havre where she ran a day care. The next move was to Kalispell where she also taught school.

The family later moved to Glasgow where she again taught school and became the school’s librarian.

She had many hobbies. She enjoyed bowling, card and board games, quilting and baking. Her quilts were always complimented by fellow accomplished quilters and her family and friends loved when she would bring her latest baked goods to share. She collected cookbooks, but also came up with her own delicious recipes.

Most important to her were her family and friends. She was a selfless and devoted wife and mother. She was a mother to her children, but also a friend. She loved laughing and teasing with her kids and was their number one supporter.

She received her diagnosis of ALS in 2010. She faced this ordeal with bravery. She thought of everyone’s comfort before her own and never complained about her fate. She was strong and in control until the very end. Though her family mourns, there is comfort in her having lived her life fully and with courage until her spirit was released from her body’s ills.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and six siblings, Ellen, John, Andy, Gerald, Mary and a twin brother, Paul.

Survivors include her husband, Jim; her children, T.Ed and his wife, Jill, Tyler and his wife, Susan, and Jana and her husband, Eldon; three grandchildren, Kyle, Baxter and Jimi; six siblings, Dave, Rosey, Sandy, Barb, Larry and Patsy; and numerous nieces and nephews.