Claire Anne Jenson, 81

On Dec. 9, 2017, at 81, Claire Anne Jenson went home to the God and Savior who guided her in life’s challenges and celebrations and gave her the courage, strength and gift of love to share in the face of it all. Though Anne Jenson struggled with her health, she knew one way or another, she would go home, either to Hayden or Heaven; and she did.

Anne was born Oct. 25, 1936, in Elk City, Idaho, to David Moore Schwarz and Margaret Claire Harsh. Beginning school in a one-room schoolhouse, she remembered students were expected to sweep floors and help with other small chores. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Anne’s family, including younger brother Frank, were forced to move to the mining town of Hall, Mont. Because of the mining industry, there were four more family moves before she graduated high school in Grangeville, Idaho. Graduating from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Anne completed her education, then met and married Tom Vopat, completing their family after adopting Kenneth and Susan.

In 1978 the family moved to Hayden, Idaho, where Anne taught second grade at Winton Elementary in Coeur d’Alene until her retirement in 1998.

Carlis Willhite and Anne married on July 4, 1992. He passed away suddenly in 1998.

Anne married Chuck Jenson on Sept. 9, 2005, in the chapel of Community United Methodist Church, and lived in Hayden, Idaho.

Anne was a 50 year member of Eastern Star and was active in PEO, Retired Educators and Community United Methodist Church.

Survivors include husband, Chuck Jenson of Hayden, Idaho; son, Kenneth Vopat of Southern Idaho; daughter, Susan (Eric) Burgeson of Coeur d’Alene; grandsons, Aiden and Colon Burgeson, and Tyler (Kelsea) Vopat; brother, Frank Schwarz of Walla Walla, Wash.; step-children, Robert (Kari) Jenson and Kathy (Bart) Ryan; grandchildren, Kayleigh and Aubrey Jenson, Brianna Dye, Diedra Lackey and Lacey Ryan; seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Anne’s life will take place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, at Community United Methodist Church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

It is suggested that memorial gifts may be given to the Cancer Society or to the PEO Scholarship Fund.