Gaylen Jensen

Gaylen Max Jensen, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and dedicated servant of his community and faith, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2026, at his home in Rexburg, Idaho, surrounded by his loving family. He was 68 years old. One year prior, Gaylen was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. He fought the disease with quiet strength, resilience, and optimism, using that precious time to travel and gather closely with those he loved most.

Gaylen was born on February 21, 1958, entering the world just 18 days after his father, Max, passed away. To his grieving mother, Ardath, Gaylen was a saving grace who gave her a reason to face each day. Raised in Rexburg, Gaylen grew up learning the value of hard work and faith, graduating from Madison High School in 1976.

In 1977, Gaylen left his high school sweetheart, Lisa, to serve a two-and-a-half-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Seoul, South Korea. He often joked that learning the Korean language was the second hardest thing he ever had to do—the hardest was leaving Lisa. Within two weeks of her return from a study abroad program, the sweethearts were engaged, and they were married two months later in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Together, they graduated from Ricks College in 1980 and moved to Provo, Utah, where Gaylen earned his bachelor's degree at Brigham Young University. Ever ambitious, he later completed a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Southern Methodist University and, later in life, achieved a PhD in Instructional Design from Idaho State University.

Gaylen’s professional journey as a software and systems engineer took his growing family from Texas Instruments in North Dallas to Ridgecrest, California. In 1992, he returned home to Rexburg to work for Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho). Over nearly three decades on campus, Gaylen's brilliant technical mind led him through vital roles as Server Manager, Network Director, Telecommunications Director, and the campus’s very first Information Security Officer. Shifting his creative talents later in his career, he retired in 2024 as an accomplished Instructional Designer.

Though highly accomplished professionally, Gaylen’s true masterpiece was his family. He and Lisa raised seven children in a home completely filled with love, laughter, and the gospel. Looking back on his life, Gaylen considered his greatest achievement to be seeing his children grow into beautiful, honest adults.

A lifelong, faithful member of his church, Gaylen served willingly wherever he was called. His leadership and ministry touched countless lives as a Bishop, High Counselor, Stake Executive Secretary, Young Men leader, and Ward Organist, sharing his musical talents generously.

Gaylen was preceded in death by his father, Max Francis Jensen; his mother, Ardath Walker Jensen Carlsen; his step-father, Archie Connald Carlsen; and his siblings, Allen Niels Jensen, Bonnie Thomason, Annette Spaulding, and Paul Walker Jensen. And his granddaughter Eden Grace Jensen.

His legacy of love lives on through his beloved wife, Lisa Jensen; his seven children, Andrea Ivey, Jessica Schwendiman, Hailey Burton, Kacey Max Jensen, Cameron Christian Jensen, Jeremy Hunter Jensen, and Malia Rasmussen; and his siblings, Dennis Carlsen, Beverly Taylor, Sonja Thomason, Barbara Goss, Kerry Carlsen, and Elaine Fluckiger and 29 grandchildren.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to the team at the Madison Health Oncology Center and the caregivers at Enhabit Hospice. You are living angels who brought immense comfort to Gaylen's final days.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 11:00am at the Rexburg Stake Center, visitation will be held prior the service from 10:00 am - 10:45 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Gaylen's memory to advance a cure through the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research or the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.