Karen Margaret Jensen

Karen Margaret Jensen was born on June 2, 1936, near Brush, Colorado.  She died at North Shore Health and Rehabilitation Center in Loveland, Colorado on March 28, 2025.  Burial will be at Central City, Nebraska, where her parents are buried, at a later date.  

Karen's parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Marsh) Jensen were in the cattle business near Brush, later moving to a ranch on Bear Creek, near LaGrange, Wyoming.  There were frequent guests in the home as friends, colleagues, students, the curious, came from virtually all over the world to visit the ranch.  Whoever came was frequently involved in whatever ranching activities were occurring.  Neighborhood gatherings were frequent for church, school-centered events, brandings, social events, or just helping one another out.  There was rarely a quiet moment!

Karen attended a rural elementary school, graduated from Torrington High School. then attended Colorado Women's College.   In September, 1956, she married Fred Heckman in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  Their children were David, Benjamin and Mary.  As Fred worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and several Tribes, the family lived in various places in New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado and Washington, D.C.  Later, Karen was married to Dirk Thysse.  Karen spent the latter years of her life in Loveland, where among other jobs,  she owned an antique shop, Karen's Kottage, for a number of years.  

Karen was a gifted artist and writer, as well as a talented cook!  She loved to entertain, never knew a stranger and always had the most interesting "collection" of friends!  As an only child her constant companions were animals, a love she maintained throughout her life.  Her last canine companion, Scoot even shared her move to the nursing home as Karen's health began to fail.  

Karen is survived by son, Ben, of Flagstaff, Arizona, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother, son David, and daughter Mary.  

Wonderful lady she is! And I want any donations to go to Larimer Humane Society.