Obituary of Theodore Thomas Jensen

Theodore Thomas Jensen

Dec. 16, 1940 – Nov. 5, 2024

Ted Jensen passed away peacefully at home with his family in Phoenixville, Pa., in the early evening of Nov. 5. He is survived by the love of his life, Elizabeth Marie Rockwell Jensen, whom he was smitten with at the age of 17. Ted and Bette’s story was a happy, lively adventure of deep love, respect and goodness through 61 years of marriage, a bedrock for a family that now spans four generations.

“Tell me your story,” Ted would say to the people who entered his life. This phrase reflects his genuine interest in and appreciation for all those around him. So here is some of his story.

Family was the most important thing to Ted. He deeply loved and was extremely proud of all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by daughter Barb Ruppert and her husband, Geof, of Fairfield, Pa.; daughter Joanne Wright and her husband, Ed, of Phoenixville, Pa.; son Ted Jensen and his wife, Teri, of Anchorage, Alaska; son Tom Jensen and his wife, Amy, of Harker Heights, Texas; grandchildren Carrie Martins and her husband, Samuel; Sam Ruppert and his wife, Ginny; Owen, Jocelyn, Noah and Lianna Wright; Haley and Sydni Jensen; Juliana, Alice and Soren Jensen; and great-granddaughters Connie, Goldie and Dolly Ruppert. He is also survived by his brother Jerry Jensen, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws with whom he kept in close contact. Ted was preceded in death by daughter Susan Jensen and parents Theodore and Virginia.

Ted was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. His father was often away working, and so Ted credits three strong women with raising him right: his mother, his grandmother and his aunt. Although perhaps a bit mischievous as a young man, he was also hard working and studious. He earned academic scholarships and worked several jobs to put himself through school, all on his own, at Creighton Prep and then Creighton University in Omaha. He was among the first in his extended family to attend college, and never took for granted his education and the opportunities it opened to him.

He lived for connecting with people and doing the right thing—as Ted noted, “I like people and making things happen.” He would tell you his deep sense of justice came from his Jesuit education. Upon graduating from Creighton University in 1963, he began a lifetime career in civil service at the Social Security Administration in Baltimore. He and Bette married that September.

Ted was proud of his part in making a meaningful difference to people throughout the country. In 1965, he was offered one of the first positions on SSA’s new Special Staff for Labor Relations and Equal Opportunity, with the mission to drive change in hiring and promotion practices within SSA and the insurance industry. In this role, he helped ensure all hospitals participating in Medicare were in compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or as he put it, “breaking the back of segregation in our hospitals.” Over the next 15 years, he moved up to become the deputy director of the Special Staff, helping lead efforts against discrimination in employment and Medicare services.

In 1980, he moved to the Office of Systems, responsible for SSA’s major business functions. As deputy director of that office, he led modernization efforts in the earnings system, the Social Security card system, wage reporting and data exchange with other agencies. One of his most satisfying experiences was helping build the Federal Parent Locator System for collecting unpaid child support across states.

After fully retiring in 2001, Ted focused his civic energy on advocating for federal workers as Maryland chapter president for the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He also helped organize and became the first vice chair of the Western Maryland Democratic Caucus. One could find him running bingo for the Libertytown Volunteer Fire Department and volunteering with the Walkersville Southern Railroad as well.

Along the way, he always made time for family; gardening and farming; and nurturing friendships near and far.

All who were part of his story loved him very, very much, and our stories are fuller because of him.

Ted’s funeral services will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 with visitation at 10 a.m. and Mass at 11 a.m. at Saint Mary Roman Catholic Church, 40 Spring Mount Rd, Schwenksville, PA 19473. Services will be followed by, as he requested, a luncheon and party at The Copperfield Inn at Lakeside, 594 W Ridge Pike, Limerick, PA 19468. Interment will be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Ted to Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice (https://giving.mainlinehealth.org/ways-to-give/homecare-and-hospice) or a hospice near you.

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As Ted and Bette moved only recently to Pennsylvania, and most family and friends will be traveling from afar, courtesy rooms have been set aside at the Hilton Garden Inn – Valley Forge.

Call the Hilton Garden Inn – Valley Forge at 610-650-0880, option “0” and book with the group name “Ted Jensen Memorial” or group code “90B”.

OR

Use the booking link online: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=PHLPOGI&groupCode=90B&arrivaldate=2024-12-06&departuredate=2024-12-09&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT

The booking link will automatically populate the rooms for a Friday arrival and Monday departure. If anyone is staying different dates, simply adjust the booking by clicking the dates next to “Edit Stay”.

Please note that the cutoff date for this block of rooms is November 30th, 2024 11:59pm.  Reservations can be made in the block up until the block is full or the cutoff date has passed. If anyone has trouble with the above options, they can reach out to Olivia Harvey at Olivia.Harvey@hilton.com and she can assist with confirming reservations.