Gerda Jensen

Our lovely mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Gerda Selck Andersen Jensen, passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on January 5, 2019, after many years of battling Alzheimer’s.

Gerda was born on February 13, 1925 in Holstebro, Denmark to Alvilda Kathrine Sorensen Andersen and Axel Herman Andersen. She was the second oldest of four children: Kaj, Gerda, Oda, and Arne. Gerda came from modest circumstances but had a rich childhood with many good friends. She and her friends loved sports and supported each other. Her favorite sports were rowing and gymnastics. The support of her friends helped her tremendously when, as young teenagers, they had to endure the Nazi occupation of Denmark during World War II.

Gerda apprenticed in retail in Denmark, and her favorite brother Kaj apprenticed as a baker and cake decorator. They were best friends and planned to open a bakery someday.

Both Gerda and Kaj immigrated to Canada (Toronto, Ontario) after the war where they realized their dream by opening their first bakery in Pembroke, Ontario. After a few years they opened “The Family Bakery” in Belleville, Ontario, building it into a thriving business. Gerda met and married another Dane, Poul Erik Lovsted, but they divorced in 1959. Together they had a daughter, Jane Kathrine, in 1955.

Gerda married an old friend from Denmark, Alfred Jensen, in 1974, and made a huge leap when she immigrated to Alfred’s home in Woods Cross, Utah. Through Alfred, Gerda became part of a whole new family gaining a step-daughter, Ingelise Andersen and four grandchildren. Gerda often remarked how much she loved her new family and how much they enriched her life.

Gerda loved gardening and knitting and she excelled at both. Her garden was immaculate and she loved being outside working in it. Knitting sweaters, especially for her small great-grandchildren, was a special joy. She also worked in retail, principally in Weinstocks’ clothing department, and thrived there.

Gerda was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings. She is survived by daughters: Jane Lovsted and Ingelise Andersen (Vagn-Oluf); grandchildren: Tina Edwards (Shawn), Katie Jones (Robert), Mark Andersen (Kaylene), and Lars Andersen (Crystal); and great-grandchildren: Ashley, Nicholas, Kerry, Amelia, Kirsten, Caleb, Nathan, Jacob, Mette, Oscar, Emma, Henry, Lilli, Sam, Ellen, and George.

Our family is grateful for the caregivers at Tender Care Hospice. Gerda received such loving care from them. They could feel what a sweet and kind soul she had been her whole life. Gerda asked to be cremated, but there will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 2:00 pm at the Woods Cross Stake Center, 2064 South 800 West, Woods Cross, UT.