Rosa Ortiz Jensen

Born on February 12th, 1948 in Bingham Utah, to Jesus and Elfi Ortiz.

Died on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025, in Draper, Utah

With love, gratitude, and heavy hearts, we find comfort in knowing that our beloved mother, Rosa Ortiz Jensen, is finally at peace. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025, in her cozy room at Beehive Homes of Draper. After years of bravely facing the challenges of Alzheimer's, she is now free from the confusion and pain. We take comfort in knowing that her spirit is at rest, with a healthy mind, and we will forever hold her in our hearts. While her absence leaves a void in our lives, we are grateful for the beautiful memories she gave us and the peace she now enjoys.

Rosa attended and was a class officer at Granger High School in 1966. She was always so proud of saving up for her first car, a 1967 Ford Mustang, while working as a bank teller.

Rosa was married to Lawrence Duffy Benson II in 1968 and later to Randy Clark Jensen in 1989.

She lived on the Fisher Dairy family farm property with her husband, Larry, and his extended family while he worked as a milkman. They later moved to Bennion, where they installed a pool in the backyard. Rosa taught swim lessons to all the neighborhood kids, and to this day, many recall stories of her teaching them how to swim.

When married to Randy, they enjoyed camping, fishing, and rafting. They referred to their fishing trips as "wunning away in their wittle wubber waft." Mom always had a funny tune she would sing while folding the tin foil dinners, as if performing for an audience. On one of their winter camping trips, many have heard the story of how she Mom put her feet up on the edge of the fire pit to warm them. The fire melted the bottoms of her moon boots, and she had to wrap her feet in duct tape for the rest of the trip.

Rosa had many things that brought her joy. She inherited a love of gardening and planted flowers with and for her mother every Mother’s Day. As you could probably guess, she loved roses and preserved many bouquets given to her over the years. She was an excellent bowler and known for being a collector of things—lots of things (giraffes, bells, blue geese, blue glass, roosters, tea sets, and heart-shaped rocks).

Her true passion, however, was spending quality time with her family and caring for others. We often said she would give you the shirt off her back and her last dollar—and she often did. Rosa always had an open door and an open heart and took many loved ones under her wing. Many will recognize “Mama Ro”, or “G-Ro” as the endearing term she was known by.

As a single parent, Mom worked two, sometimes three, jobs to care for and provide for her boys. She always wanted the very best for them and was a dedicated provider. Her sons recall Christmas mornings when there were so many presents you couldn’t even see the floor. Christmas was also her favorite time of year. One year, she and her son Andrew were loading her red Chrysler LeBaron with gifts to take to the rest of the family on Christmas morning. There were so many gifts that she had to put the top down on her car to pile them all in. The red convertible looked like Santa’s sleigh, and she wore a Santa beard on the cold winter morning to deliver the gifts.

A devout parishioner of the Catholic Church, her faith in God was inspiring. She would preach, "Let go and let God," and "Take one day at a time." To her sons, she often said, "We don’t meet 50/50. We meet 100/100." She especially loved attending Midnight Mass.

Rosa owned her own housekeeping business for over 15 years. Many of her clients adopted her as an honorary family member and friend.

Rosa is lovingly remembered by her family and friends. She is survived by her brother, Louie Ortiz, and her sons, Andrew Derrick Benson and Lawrence Duffy Benson (Leslee Bennett Benson).

Rosa was a loving grandmother to Makayla Lynne Benson (Cameron Dale Gates), Keaton Andrew Benson (Kiley Ann Benson), Alyxandra Rose Olson, and Mallory Denison Miller (Lucas Franklin Miller). Great-grandchildren: Stella and McClellan, children of Makayla and Cameron; Myles and Millie, children of Keaton and Kiley; Ila Jo and Hendrix, children of Alyxandra; and Ryker, Conrad, Aiden, and Sheldon, children of Mallory and Lucas.

In addition to her immediate family, Rosa shared a deep and loving bond with her honorary children, Pamela Jaramillo Williams and Marty Jaramillo and their family, who held a special place in her heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elfi DeMichele Ortiz and Juan Jesus Ortiz, as well as her siblings, Ernest Lepore, Annette Lepore Jaramillo, JoAnn Lepore Wall, and John Lepore.

Rosa's warmth, kindness, and unwavering love for her family will be deeply missed, but her legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all the staff at Beehive Homes of Draper for their exceptional care and compassion towards our mother, Rosa Ortiz Jensen. A special thank you to London for your unwavering kindness, friendship and support, which brought Mom comfort and peace during her time with you. We are forever grateful.

A Mass and services will be held in her honor on her birthday, Wednesday, February 12th, 2025.

A Rosary and Viewing will take place at Lake Hills Mortuary that morning from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM. A Catholic Mass will follow promptly at 10:30 AM until 11:30 AM. Her graveside dedication and eulogy, delivered by her sons Andrew and Larry Benson, will be followed by her Celebration of Life and Birthday Party, also at Lake Hills Mortuary, from 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM.

Lake Hills Mortuary and Cemetery 10055 South State Street, Sandy Utah 84047

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

300 East 11800 South, Draper, Utah 84020

Parking on the East side of the church.

Flowers accepted at Lake Hills Mortuary.

Program:

9:00 am, Rosary and Viewing at Lake Hills Mortuary & Cemetery

10:30 am – 11:30 am, Mass in Rosa’s honor. St. John the Baptist Church. Please be prompt.

12:00 pm – Grave Dedication at Lake Hills Mortuary

12:30 pm – 2:00 pm – Eulogy by son’s Andrew and Larry Benson, Celebration of Life and Birthday Party, Lake Hills Mortuary