Alice M. Ashton Jensen, 97, Sturgis, SD, died Thursday, June 1, 2006, at the Sturgis Regional Senior Care.

Alice was born November 15, 1908, to Willard and Clyde Timmons Ashton at Tama, SD. They and her brother, Elmer (Bones) Ashton lived on a ranch on Sulphur Creek. Later they moved to Rock Creek.

Alice's father passed away in 1918 from pneumonia. Alice and Bones attended school at Stoneville and Red Owl. Alice also attended the Marcus school while Clyde and Laura Ayres ran the Marcus Hotel.

She married Norman Jensen on January 4, 1935 in Sturgis. Merl Dean Jensen was born in 1935. Merl died of crib death in 1936. They lived in the Stoneville area and Sturgis. In 1937 they moved to Oregon where they picked and packed fruit, traveling to Washington and California in a homemade trailer according to the crop in season. Alice also worked in a shipyard in Vancouver, WA. Norman joined the Army and he was stationed in Oklahoma. Alice worked various jobs while living in Oklahoma and Oregon.

They settled in Tillamook, Oregon. Where her husband was a carpenter and a truck driver. They enjoyed hunting and fishing together and made many good friends. They also raised chinchillas for several years.

Alice's mother passed away in March of 1970. Norman's health failed and they returned to Sturgis in 1971. Norman passed away on March 7, 1975 at the Fort Meade Hospital. Alice was a Fort Meade volunteer for 18 years and received many volunteer awards. She attended the Fort Meade Chapel.

Alice's brother passed away in January, 1986.

She was a member of the American Legion and the National Veterans Volunteers.

Alice moved to Mountain View Estates in Sturgis in 1980 and then into K & J Apartments in Sturgis in 1995. In March, 2004, she moved into Foothills Assisted Living and resided there until May, 2006.

Alice enjoyed rodeos, hunting, crocheting, embroidery, shopping, visiting, cake decorating, coon huntin, lambing and calving season, cooking, gardening, playing cards and just "going" with friends and family. Alice had a zest for life and an ability to overcome life struggles without losing her sense of humor. She will be missed and long remembered by those who were touched by her life.

Survivors include two sisters and their spouses,five nieces,three nephews and several cousins and other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents; her parents; one brother, one son, Merl Dean Jensen; her husband; one infant brother; and two infant nephews.

Burial at the Black Hills National Cemetery.

A memorial has been established to the Fort Meade Veterans Hospital Volunteer Program.