Obituary of Ruth Eva Jensen

Ruth Eva Jensen

(April 26, 1939 - January 17, 2020)

Ruth Eva Jensen passed away unexpectedly on January 17, 2020 at the age of 80 in Camrose, Alberta. Ruth was born in Crossfield, Alberta to Svend and Ella Jensen (nee: Buchwald). She was the oldest of four children, Philip, Phyllis, and Timothy. The family lived in various communities in Alberta, settling in Edmonton. After attending high school at West Glen, Ruth attended the Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute (CLBI) Camrose where she met Harvey Vikse. They wed September 5, 1958 at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Edmonton. Harvey and Ruth settled on the Vikse family farm where they raised three children, Miriam, David and Stephen. Bethany Lutheran and CLBI were a big part of their lives. Once the children were in school, Ruth worked as school secretary first in Meeting Creek and then in Edberg. 
Her compassion for people and interest in development led her to work around the world. She served as Executive Director of both Camrose International Institute and Canadian Lutheran World Relief. She had a special love for India and Nepal and lived in both countries. After retiring from CLWR, she created a new business in Delhi, India focusing on travel, export and ministry. 
She returned to Alberta in 2009, immersing herself quickly in the Camrose community, reuniting with old friends and forming special bonds wither her grand and great-grandchildren. She loved God fervently, and lived it out daily. Most recently she served on Neighbor Aid, was President of Sahakarini, part-time staff and volunteer at Messiah Lutheran Church, and was a loyal living friend, mom, grandmother and prayer warrior. She blessed many with her baking, love of flowers and compassion for all.
 

Left to cherish her memory are her children Miriam (Dave) Iverson, Dave (Tracee) Vikse, and Stephen (Krista) Vikse; nine grandchildren, Nathan Iverson, Victoria (Chris) Davenport, Grace (Merrill) Friesen, Dusty (Jessica) Vikse and their children Aubree, Beckham and Avery, Jesse (Jac) Vikse and their children Kohen, David Harvey (Lawsen), Michael (Amanda) O’Malley and their children Davin, Everly and Knoxley, Nicole (Kyle) Konrad and their children Ella-Grace and Emerson (Chunky), Karl (Ester) Vikse, and Kaitlin Vikse; and siblings Philip (Bonnie) Jensen, Phyllis Jensen and Tim Jensen (Gail Williamson). She was preceded in death by her parents Svend and Ella Jensen; and great-granddaughter Esme O’Malley.

Blessed be her memory.

A Funeral Service was held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 24, 2020 from the Messiah Lutheran Church, 4810 - 50th Street Camrose with Rev. Bev Swanson officiating.

Service was live-streamed on YouTube - search for MessiahCamrose.

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Ruth's memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute.