VIVIAN JENSEN
President 1985-1987
Vivian was born on Easter Sunday April 16, 1911 in a log cabin located in Redmond, a small rural community in central Utah, to Franklin Nelson and his wife Annetta Christine Willardsen. While many of her friends were preparing for marriage after high school, she was preparing to enter Brigham Young Academy where she received a teaching certificate and started an educational career that extended over 44 years. She was certified as a teacher, librarian, and counselor. Vivian’s choice of a career as an educator was both challenging and satisfying. She held many positions in the Granite School District including teacher at Valley Jr., librarian at Central Jr., and guidance counselor at Olympus High. She finished her career in education as a guidance counselor at Skyline High School in 1976.
She married Moroni Lundby Jensen on March 8, 1934 in Manti, Utah. Together they had two children. Moroni grew up working on a farm and drove a school bus while he was a senior in high school. He graduated from North Sevier High school in 1929, then Snow College in 1931, and subsequently received a Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University in 1946. In 1945 he spent eighteen months serving as field director of the American Red Cross in the Philippines, Korea, and Japan. Jensen began both his educational and political careers in Salina, Utah, as a principal while serving as a city councilman and later on as mayor.
Recognizing the need for advanced education, in May 1950, Vivian and her husband sold their home and furniture. Then, with their two young sons and all their worldly possessions packed into one small car, left Salina, Utah for New York City to continue their educational pursuit at Teachers College-Columbia. Living in New York City was an educational adventure, never to be forgotten by this Jensen family from Utah.
Her husband was elected as a Utah Representative in 1964 where he served two terms and was then elected to the Utah Senate in 1968. In 1964, when her husband began the first of his sixteen years as legislator, she felt the need to become informed and supportive in her role as a legislator’s wife. In 1977, her husband became the president of the Utah Senate and she became experienced due to the added responsibilities and increasing involvement with Senate activities. After a life of community service, Moroni Jensen died November 8, 1980 of a heart attack.
Vivian was appointed to the Utah State Senate by Governor Scott M. Matheson on December 15, 1980 to complete the unexpired term of her husband after his untimely death. She had never given thought to political involvement for herself. Her appointment to the state senate came at a very emotional time in her life, only a month after the death of her husband; however difficult as it was emotionally, it proved to be a very positive experience for her.
In 1982, again with the encouragement of Governor Matheson, Vivian became the Democratic candidate from District 30 for the House of Representatives. She won the seat and served from 1983-1985.
Vivian was an active and loyal Democrat and served as President of the Women’s Democratic Club, member of the National Federation of Democratic Women, member of the Legislative Committee of the National Federation of Democratic Women, and president of the Utah Federation of Democratic Women. She was a delegate to the 1984 National Democratic Convention. She was proud she always voted her own convictions.
In addition to her distinguished educational activities, she gave her time and talent in community and humanitarian service. In 1983, she was the recipient of the “Women of Achievement Award”.
She died February 21, 2010 at the age of 99 and is buried in Redmond Cemetery, Redmond, Utah. Her obituary notes,
“Throughout her exemplary life, service has been a hallmark. Regardless of the calling, regardless of the sacrifice required, she placed the good of her family and that of her church and state ahead of personal concern or gain. To that end, untold hundreds, if not thousands, of Utah's students were better because of her dedicated influence. Likewise, society benefited from her contribution as a Legislator, as a faithful member of her church and as a leader in her community and state.”
Article adapted from the Biography of Vivian Jensen, Utah State Archives and her obituary dated February 2010, published in the Deseret News.