Obituary

Helene Wickstrom Jensen, 96, of Tempe, AZ, formerly of Storrs, CT and Columbia, MO, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2025. Helene was born in 1929 in Carthage, MO. She is survived by one son, Gordon Jensen and wife Sarah Jensen; grandson Chris Jensen and wife Caitlin Smigelski; granddaughter Fiona Libby and husband Curtis Libby; two great grandchildren, Eliot Jensen and Sophie Libby; and two nephews and eight nieces. Helene is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Lois (Stroup) Wickstrom, her husband Robert (Bob) Jensen, son Jeffrey Jensen, two sisters Mary Anderson and infant Greta Wickstrom, and three brothers John, Karl, and Sam Wickstrom.

Helene grew up on the family farm six miles east of Carthage, MO. She married Bob Jensen in 1947. They moved to Columbia, MO, to matriculate at the University of Missouri. Helene received a BS degree in Home Economics (1951) and completed requirements to become a Registered Dietitian (1955) and Bob completed his graduate training. Helene served as Dietitian in Charge of the Men’s Residence Food Service and supervised the feeding of 1400 individuals for 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. In 1956, Bob accepted a position at the University of Connecticut, so the young family, including three-year old son, Gordon, moved from Columbia, MO to Storrs, CT.

Helene embarked upon a nutrition career that spanned more than 50 years and included the following positions: Therapeutic Dietitian, School Lunch Director, Director of Hospital Food Service, Chief Hospital Dietitian, Lecturer on Food Systems, and Education Outreach Program Manager. Throughout these years, she maintained her Dietetic Registration and received an MS in Nutritional Science, University of Connecticut (1983) and PhD in Education, Century University (1992). It is remarkable that she was awarded her PhD at age 63 years. Her research efforts focused on merchandising school lunch with a nutritional approach and promoting breakfast and fitness in elementary school.

Her contributions were recognized with several notable awards: the Metropolitan Life Foundation Award in Nutrition Education, the Connecticut Recognized Dietitian of the Year, the Czajkowski Community Nutrition Award, the University of Connecticut, and the Agriculture and Natural Resources Association Distinguished Alumna Award, the University of Connecticut. The Connecticut School Food Service Association dedicated the 1982 State Conference in her honor.

After Bob passed in 2006, Helene moved to Tempe, AZ. She enjoyed her life, most especially visiting with family and friends. She kept in touch with her bridge club members from her time in Connecticut. She also enjoyed touring the Desert Botanical Gardens, cheering on her favorite basketball teams (UConn women, NBA Arizona Suns, and WNBA Mercury), reading books and newspapers, gardening, and cooking. Her great grandchildren were a source of immense joy for her. Helene’s many accomplishments were remarkable. She was an inspiration and role model for many people. Highly motivated, independent, and with unbound optimism, she raised a family and contributed much to our world.

Helene and her family wish to thank her caregivers, neighbors, and Hospice of the Valley personnel, for their kindness and support.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Helene Jensen to the Nutritional Sciences Fund (#21877) at the University of Connecticut Foundation.
Checks made payable to the UConn Foundation, Inc., can be mailed to: University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc., 2390 Alumni Drive, Unit 3206, Storrs, CT, 06269. Please include the account number (#21877) in the memo line. Online donations can be made through s.uconn.edu/nusc-donations

Another option for online donations is to support Hospice of the Valley through https://hov.org/donate/

Lastly, you can honor her by spending time in nature with loved ones and by taking a positive action to improve the world for others,

Private burial will be at the Mansfield Center Cemetery, Mansfield Center, CT.