I have been trying to get this posted since the Funeral, been having trouble so I hope this time works ers
nfs
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Luke passed away on Tuesday Morning, 15JUN04, at his parents home at 7:30 A.M. in his sleep. I heard that he woke up at around 4 A.M. and his Mom got him a drink then he had trouble falling back asleep and his Dad sat with him awhile. He fell asleep and went peacefully.

Services will be on Monday, 21JUN04, at 10:30 A.M.

The 4-H Junior Leaders are hoping to begin a Scholarship fund in Lukes name. I will update when I have a confirmation of the scholarship and where donations, if one so chooses, may be sent.**

Here is one site that has an Obituary ( as of June 30 2004 ):


[link=http://www.alliancetimes.com/abouttown.htm newwindow]Alliance Times-Herald[/link]

I had his age wrong, I really thought that Adam was older than 3 when Luke was born

There is one part in an obit that I really totally agree with....... Luke never knew a stranger He talked to anyone and everyone! I bet Luke is telling everyone in Heaven all about fishing, motorcycles and cars!!

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers for Luke. Please keep his family in your thoughts at this hard time. Thanks

Nancy S.

Obit from Hemingford Ledger June 17 2004 issue ( most names and the Jensens home address have been left out as per most board policies ) :

Luke Jesse Jensen, 13, died on June 15 2004 at his home in rural Box Butte county, Nebraska.
He was born in March, 1991 in Alliance to Tom and Denise Jensen. Survivors include his sister, Ashli, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and numerous cousins and relarives. Luke was a student in the Hemingford Public School System and recently finished the 6th grade. He was active in 4-H, loved farming and working in the shop, and was a member of the Route 385 Crusiers Car Club.
Luke enjoyed motorcycles, fishing, hunting and, most of all, he loved people. Luke knew no strangers.
Memorial services were held Monday, June 21, 2004, 10:30 A.M. at the Box Butte County Fairgrounds Grandstand in Hemingford. A slideshow presentation of Lukes' life was held in the Multi-pourpose Hall at the fairgrounds.
Memorials may be made to the family at: **


**Email me for address if you wish to send a memorial. The 4-H Junior Leaders are hoping to start a scholarship in Luke's memory also. It is still in the works. If you would like more information on that, please email me. **

Nancy S.

That is very, very sad. It doesn't help that I have a Luke too. May I ask what Luke died from?

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I don't have all the details, but a friend, who is also the Jensens neighbor and one of her kids is in Lukes class, told me that the school principal sent out letters to all the kids in Lukes class, per request of Lukes mom, that told the kids what exactly Luke had. Since Sue, my friend, didn't have the letter with her she told me that it had to do with another tumor Luke had. Seems about 9 years ago, Luke had a 'lifesaving' X-Ray type treatment in Claifornia and that just recently, about the last part of May/first part of June, a tumor that was a reslut of the past treatment came on and hit Luke hard and fast. The Doctors had given him no more than a month. He died in the middle of the month. The irony is that another tumor Luke had was responding to treatment just great!

Anyhoo, I've seen Dee and Ashli a few times and I've seen Tom once since the funeral. It was quite a funeral They cremated Luke and the service was held at the county fairgrounds. The program has a wheat field on the front. And a poem called 'Afterglow'* is inside. His Grandma and a family friend officiated. Music selections were:
'I Can Only Imagine', 'On Eagles Wings' ( and while that one played, a hawk was circling the grandstands ), 'Amazing Grace' ( bagpipes ), 'Jesus Loves Me', 'Takin' Care of Business' and 'Back in Black' by AC/DC. While 'Black in Black' played, a bunch of balloons were being moved around the stage by a breeze. And a yellow balloon with a smily face on it turned and faced the audience almost teh whole time. The Family and close friends were wearing white T-shirts with Lukes picture on it. The words "Takin' Care of Business" were above the picture and '1991-2004' was under the picture. Geez, I'm ready to bawl just thinking about it!
They had a traveling mike for people to talk about their memories of Luke. There was plenty of tears, but laughter, too! Many of his classmates mentioned the fact that the balloons were constantly moving around, just like Luke. Much laughter came from a teacher, when one of Lukes Kindergarten teachers told about a class assignment they had. It was about things found on a beach. The other kids talked about sand, seashells, driftwood and the such.... until Luke spoke up. He said, "Babes." When the teacher asked why he said babes he replied, "Cause Dad and I watch Baywatch and they always have Babes on the beach."
Tom turned a little red on that, but had a good laugh, too.

*'Afterglow'

I'd like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an acho
whispering softly down the ways,
of happy times and laughing
times bright and
sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who
grieve, to dry before the sun;
of happy memories that I leave,
when life is done.

I don't know the Author.

Nancy S.