Rev. Kris JENSEN

With hearts full of gratitude for a life well lived, we share the news that Rev. Jens Kristian Jensen passed on to that mysterious promise of life after death, on Monday May 13th 2024.

Kris lived a life full of adventure. His great story telling and appreciation for life every day will live on in our hearts forever. Kris is remembered with love and joy by his wife, Peggy and his Edmonton family: daughter Heather and Scott Rempel and grand-daughter, Sarah Rempel; son Shaun and Rachel Jensen;  grand-children Tyler, Kyle and Sarah Yakiwchuk; and sister Inger Marie Morris, Ontario.

Kris is remembered with gratitude by his extended family: Michael Peterson and Shannon Piedt,  grand-daughters, Taryn and Hanna  (Emma);  Chris Peterson and Mary Martin and grand-daughter Katie; Brother-in-law Paul Attwell and Deborah Marshall. Kris was preceded in death by his daughter Lisa Yakiwchuk.

Kris began life on April 29th 1940 and grew up on the family farms in Dunvegan and Maxville, in Eastern Ontario. You can take the boy away from the farm but you can’t take the farm away from the boy. Kris always talked about farming as if it was yesterday. Kris was an enthusiastic member of the Vintage Tractor Club MIVTEC in Nanaimo. He proudly displayed his 1944 Farmall A, known as “Holy Smoke” at the VIEX.

Rev. Kris served the United Church of Canada from Coast to Coast. Kris graduated from Queens Theological College with a Bachelor of Divinity Degree and was ordained in Lennoxville, Quebec June 2nd 1971. With his first wife, Jeanne, he began ministry in Norman’s Cove-Dunville pastoral charge in Newfoundland. After his year of penance, as he always called it, the family returned to Western Ontario and Kris served Oakland, Brantford and Welland U.C.  In 1983 the family relocated to Edmonton and Kris was the minister at St. Andrews UC for 7 years.  BC was next, after a year at Penticton U.C., Kris was called to Gordon Head U. C. in 1991.

A new life of adventure began when Kris and Peggy were married in 1993. They moved to Langley where Kris served Cloverdale United Church. A window of opportunity opened for Peggy to attend the Vancouver School of Theology. She was ordained in 2000. Kris was so proud and supportive.  A move to Penticton U.C. for Peggy, inspired Kris to take up a career of turning water into wine. Kris opened The Jolly Friar U-Brew in Okanogan Falls.  When Peggy was called to Smithers UC. Kris followed her up “north” and offered ministry in Hazelton and Prince Rupert U.C. A call for Peggy to Trinity U.C. in Nanaimo, brought Kris to retirement. With more time for hobbies, he started a lawn-cutting business, continued to make wine, restored his tractor., and preached anytime he was invited!

Kris and Peggy’s adventures included family reunions in Denmark, volunteering at IONA Scotland  and a trip to the Holy Land. They enjoyed several trips across Canada to visit Katie and family in New Brunswick; sister Marie in Ontario, and the Edmonton family.

Brechin United Church became their church home after they both retired. Last year, they settled in the Brechin Residences, with good friends and opportunities to serve their local church community. Donations in Kris name to the “Friends of Brechin”: donatebrechin@shaw.ca   will be appreciated instead of flowers.

A Celebration of Kris’s life will be held Saturday June 8th at 2:00 PM at Brechin United Church            .                                               Life is an Adventure, appreciate it everyday.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev. Kris JENSEN, please visit our floral store.