LaRene Jensen Call

LaRene Jensen Call was born on June 27, 1940, in Ogden, Utah to James Leo Jensen and Orlie Bird Jensen. LaRene was the second oldest child in her family. She was the younger sister of Verl, and older sister to Cherie, DeLoy, and Kent.

LaRene grew up in difficult circumstances: poverty, food insecurity, and some brutal discipline. But if you were ever to ask her about her childhood, she would most often talk of her love for both her parents and all of her siblings. Throughout her life, when she was in any room with her siblings, there would be laughter. They all shared a unique, irresistible sense of humor. Some of LaRene’s fondest childhood memories were of visits to her grandparents’ home in Mendon, Utah where she picked raspberries and carrots from the backyard and ate fresh baked apple pies in the kitchen. She felt safe and warm there.

LaRene was an amazing seamstress. She used to go to fancy department stores, take a look at what was on the rack, and then go home and replicate it at her sewing machine. She shared clothes with her sister, and they would adjust the hems depending on which one of them had a date that night. Later in life, she sewed replicas of designer Jordache jeans for her daughter Julie in the 1980’s, as well as amazing school dance ball gowns fit for a queen, designed from a mixture of dozens of patterns and handmade sketches.

LaRene was an exceptionally bright, hardworking student from a young age. She excelled at her studies all through life. In her later years, whenever a child or grandchild got good grades or an educational award of some kind, she would proudly say, “They get it from me.” LaRene graduated from Ogden High School in 1958, then went on to graduate with an Associate of Science degree from Weber College in 1961, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Utah State University in 1964.

LaRene started working as soon as she could and had a variety of jobs throughout her life. Her first job was at Skyline Frost Top in Ogden when she was a teenager. She worked at a shoe store, a furniture store, as a secretary at Thiokol, and as a staffer for U.S.
Representative Lawrence Burton. After graduating from college, she taught first
and fifth grade classes at an elementary school. LaRene married Wynn Call on June 8,1964. They moved to Mesa, Arizona for Wynn’s work in the LDS Church Educational System and his studies at Arizona State University. They had five children: Julie, Ron, James (a stillborn baby), Cherie, and David. LaRene was a devoted, loving mother who gave her whole life and her whole heart to her children. They all knew she was their greatest advocate and biggest fan. At all the football games, basketball games, gymnastic meets, swimming meets, and school musicals, her children all knew they could excel, simply because she believed in them so deeply and lovingly. It was plain to see that they were the greatest treasures in her life. LaRene spoiled her grandchildren, who all loved her as a beloved grandmother and a cherished friend.

LaRene was a stay-at-home mother for most of the time her children were young, but she found creative ways to keep working. She was the most popular home pre-school teacher in town for a long time. She eventually discontinued the pre-school but continued to be a highly recommended tutor for decades. She was a gifted teacher and could teach absolutely anyone to read. For a few years she also ran her own business called Tidy Team, cleaning model homes as an independent contractor for Cardon Homes, where Wynn was an executive. All of the children learned how to vacuum in perfectly straight rows and clean windows till they looked completely transparent. (Not all of them went on to apply these skills in their home lives…)

LaRene and Wynn divorced in 1991 after 27 years of marriage. LaRene struggled to find work after so many years outside of the traditional workforce, so she went back to school and got a master’s degree in Adult Education from the University of Phoenix. She bought two of the earliest gigantic brick-shaped cell phones to keep in contact with Cherie and David who were still living at home while she went back to school and worked long hours. While in school, she developed her own groundbreaking curriculum which she used at a job teaching assembly line workers at Motorola how to read and do math, succeeding at what every previous teacher had failed to do for them. She changed their lives and worked herself out of a job there. After some other jobs teaching reading and GED courses at community colleges, LaRene eventually worked as a teacher and secretary at three different charter schools in Mesa, until she retired.

LaRene was never wealthy, but she freely gave what she had and served all those whom she saw in need. She often felt uncomfortable accepting charity of any kind, and she had a lot of pride in being independent, but she was always the first to volunteer to make a hot meal for a neighbor. Her friends cherished her and valued her excellent advice and her kind listening ear.

LaRene loved going to the movies. It didn’t matter what was playing; she loved to see the latest shows. She also loved going out to lunch or dinner with her grandchildren or her good friends. Her favorite restaurant was Red Lobster. Her favorite food was probably potatoes of any kind, especially mashed potatoes. Original Lays potato chips could always be found in her home. She also always loved an ice-cold Coca-Cola.

LaRene was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints throughout her life. She was the most dedicated visiting teacher and ministering sister. She loved using her gifts as an educator to teach young women’s classes, gospel doctrine Sunday school classes, and Relief Society. She was ever an example of Christlike love and service. Her children learned the most about Jesus by observing the way she loved and served all those around her.

In 2013 LaRene endured breast cancer and after extensive treatments, she was fortunately able to go into remission and live a while longer. All who have known LaRene have treasured the extra time we have had her in our lives.
When LaRene’s oldest daughter Julie was diagnosed with kidney cancer, LaRene spent months by Julie’s side at her home in Plano, Texas. LaRene was heartbroken when Julie passed away in October of 2022.

In October of 2024, LaRene was diagnosed with colon cancer. After a brief struggle, LaRene passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 5, 2025. She is survived by her brother, Verl Jensen; her children Ron (Debbie) Call, Cherie (Joe) Anderson, David (Kristy) Call; her son-in-law Curt Shill; her grandchildren Ryan (Melissalyn) Shill, Christie Shill, Jeffrey, Jeremy, and Jacob Call, Sydney, Madeline, Howard, and Audrey Anderson, Nixon and Canon Call; and her great-grandchildren Oliver and Aurora Shill. She is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings Cherie Painter, DeLoy Jensen, and Kent Jensen; her baby son James; and her daughter Julie Shill. She will be missed so dearly, but will no doubt enjoy peace, rest, and a joyful reunion with all those who have waited for her on the other side. The memory of LaRene will bless us forever.

Funeral Services are at the LDS church building at 422 E. University Dr., Mesa AZ, on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 10am. The services are preceded by a visitation at 9am at the same location.

If you are unable to attend the service, please click on the following link to livestream the service: https://zoom.us/j/99159654693?pwd=JtsrifXwHEc1RAD9NaKbVeMY08R2Wu.1

Passcode:  052353

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.