Brian Lee Jensen

August 12, 1945 – June 11, 2020

 

Brian Jensen of Trinity Valley, Lumby passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 11th on the farm that he developed and loved over a period of 40 years. His loving family, his wife of 52 years Ursula, his son Aaren Jensen (Kelly) and granddaughter Molly of Lumby, and daughter Vanessa O’Brien (Rick) of Kamloops survive him. He leaves behind his sisters Karen (Dave) Kovak of Saskatchewan, and Bonnie (Kim) Jensen of Alberta as well as a large extended family throughout BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

Brian was born in Camrose Alberta the son of the late Harold and Carol Jensen a farming family from Ferintosh. He attended Camrose Lutheran College before moving to work at Alberta Hospital Ponoka. While in Ponoka, he met his future wife Ursula Graumann, a recent immigrant from Essen Germany. Brian became interested in a mental health career and became a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN). He married Ursula and moved his young family to Drumheller AB to work at a new Federal Penitentiary. As his family grew Brian shifted from nursing into Manpower & Immigration, then recruiting, traveling to hire Engineers from England and Scotland to work in the northern Alberta oil sands. At the start of the 1980s while in Edmonton Brian and family made the decision to leave their corporate jobs and the city to try their hand at homesteading in Trinity Valley. They settled on an empty hillside parcel of land with a big view. Brian and Ursula with help from their children built a beautiful log home, followed by a barn and all the other outbuildings. Brian taught himself every step of construction. After a few years, Brian went back to nursing, now at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital in various roles in Psychiatry and mental health. He helped many people in the North Okanagan as his career transitioned from nursing into mental health therapy until his retirement over 10 years ago.

Back on the farm in the mid-’80s with no prior experience Brian and Ursula bought a pair of young Norwegian Fjord Horses which slowly grew to become a major part of their lives for the next 35+ years. Brian was extremely active in the Breed, raising & training Fjords, importing and selling, showing, driving & competitions, teaching, and judging. He was an internationally certified judge and evaluator traveling throughout North America and Europe working for the breed he loved. He traveled to Norway many times representing Canada and the USA as a member of Fjord Horse International. Most importantly, he mentored and trained hundreds of other people and families to love the Fjord horse as much as he did.

As hard-working and respected as Brian was in his work and personal life, he privately had his own mental health issues. As he approached his 75th birthday, he found it more difficult to adjust to aging, declining health, and reducing his activities with his horses. If you are struggling with mental health issues or thoughts of suicide, PLEASE reach out for help. In the North Okanagan, contact the Canadian Mental Health Association, or the People In Need (PIN) Crisis Line at 1-800-353-2273.

 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the PLEASANT VALLEY FUNRAL HOME (250) 542-4333