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Dana Susan Jensen
04/07/1963 — 01/10/2014
From Richland, WA, Benton | Born in Seattle, WA
Dana Susan Jensen
Dana Shindler Jensen, the beloved wife, daughter, sister, colleague and friend was suddenly taken to heaven on Friday, January 10, 2014. Her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, amazing wit, easy going manner, generous spirit and kind heart will forever be remembered by all who knew her.
Dana was born April 7, 1963 in Seattle, Washington, to Richard and Judith Shindler, and in 1965 moved to her great-grandparents' homestead just outside of Rosalia, Washington. Dana enjoyed growing up on her family's wheat farm and graduated with honors from Rosalia High School in 1981. While in high school, Dana was the first female ASB President and a member of the National Honor Society. Dana went on to earn her degree in International Business from Eastern Washington University. She worked her way through college as a waitress and a bookkeeping assistant. Dana then started her career as a Federal Investigator in Washington, D.C., and Richland, Washington. She then took a technical writing and marketing position at Cadwell Laboratories. It was there she first met and worked with her good friend and mentor, Jim Noland. While at Cadwell, Dana met Dave, and he became the "luckiest man in the world" when she accepted his marriage proposal. They were married in 1991 and worked together at Cadwell for several years. They had many wonderful memories and adventures together. They complimented each other in numerous ways with an endless devotion to one another.
After many productive years at Cadwell, she took a Business Development position at Lockheed Martin and rose quickly to become Director of Creative and Strategic Services, Information Systems and Global Solutions. Dana loved and admired all of her Lockheed Martin colleagues, many of which became close personal friends. Dana was an accomplished writer and producer and won several awards and recognitions. Dana was especially proud of her two Emmy awards. She was instrumental in starting and continuing to promote "IT Day" in both the Tri-Cities and Jackson, Mississippi. Dana traveled frequently with her job, mostly to the DC area, but also to France, the United Kingdom, Australia and Iceland. Dana was very generous with her time as she volunteered many hours with the March of Dimes and Junior Achievement.
Dana's playful and fun loving side led her to personal travels to locations such as Cabo, the Oregon Coast, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Grand Cayman and elsewhere. She delighted in seeing live musical performances, casino fun and all forms of social media. At home, she created a warm and welcoming environment that was seen through her love of birds, flowers and all things pretty. All family gatherings and opportunities to spend time together and enjoy each other were close to her heart. Dana was especially proud of her nieces and nephews and enjoyed following their various accomplishments. She spoiled them whenever possible.
Dana is survived by her loving husband, Dave, also Dave's parents Jan and Soren Jensen, Dave's sisters, Julie James Hunsaker, Kristen Kevin Axelson. She is also survived by her father, Richard Shindler, her sisters Debbi Repp Randy, Sabrina Jones, and Kari Zabala; nieces and nephews Stephanie and Eric Zabala, Evan and Emily Jones, Jacob and Jordan Axelson, Daniel and Benjamin Hunsaker. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Judy Shindler, and nephews, Joshua and Jeremy Peters.
Graveside services for close friends and family will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland, followed at 1:00 pm by a Memorial service with reception at South Hills Church, 3700 West 27th Ave, Kennewick.
Donations can be made in Dana's name to the Tri-Cities chapter of Junior Achievement or the March of Dimes.
She help our safety group all the time, had lots of great ideas on getting the safety information out too our employees. It was a joy to call her my friend.
Dana was a tremendous friend and asset to Junior Achievement. We will truly miss her smiling face and enthusiastic leadership.
Debi Johnson
JATC Board
Debbi and Randy, I inadvertently included you among the Shindlers in my first post. My apologies, and I sincerely offer you my condolences and thoughts on the premature passing of Dana.
She help our safety group all the time, had lots of great ideas on getting the safety information out too our employees. It was a joy to call her my friend.
Dana was a tremendous friend and asset to Junior Achievement. We will truly miss her smiling face and enthusiastic leadership.
Debi Johnson
JATC Board
Debbi and Randy, I inadvertently included you among the Shindlers in my first post. My apologies, and I sincerely offer you my condolences and thoughts on the premature passing of Dana.
I worked with Dana at Lockheed Martin for a number of years and, like so many others, I am saddened by her passing. Dana was a breath of fresh air and a positive influence during some challenging times for our business. Her fun-loving nature added to the enjoyment of many of our meetings and I will always remember her creative video productions and presentation/staging skills. She was, indeed, the “Wizard” behind the curtain. Dana was a true professional at her craft, and a very kind and generous person. Ready with a smile, Dana always conveyed the sense that she was pleased to see you. She was a remarkable person who will be sorely missed. God bless her soul.
Dana was one of a kind. Hard working and resourceful, she had a well earned career in a competitive field, yet balanced her life by being in a loving marriage and nurturing relationships with her sisters, nieces, and nephews. Her sense of humor, intelligence, and generosity were always striking to me, and I will always remember her fondly. To Dave and his family, the Shindlers, Zabalas, Joneses, and all who loved her, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Dana was my boss, but unlike a typical supervisor-type, she was FUN! She made work an ongoing wild and crazy ride. It never let up. I got tired, but she was never short on enthusiasm or creative ideas to keep us all busy. She found joy in everything and made me laugh, as well as everyone else. Dana was the most un-boring, lovable, smart, always-cheerful person I ever met. I am going to miss her smiling face each day more than I can imagine. My sincerest sympathy to Dave, her family, and all of us for our terrible loss…everyone is cheated by her premature passing.
I was so sad to hear about the passing of Dana. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends, and co-workers. I had the pleasure of getting to know Dana through work. Dana was one of the nicest ladies I have ever met. Dana was so caring, compassionate, genuine, and giving of her time. She will be missed dearly.
I thought the world of Dana and will always remember what a Great Lady she was.
May the lord give strength to all of Dana’s Family, Friends and Co-Workers during this diffcult time.
“To Live in Hearts we leave behind is not to die”
Gone but never forgotten.
Love You
Dana was a true visionary, the definition of vivacious, and the shiniest example of raw intellectual talent I’ve had the privilege of working with at Hanford. Her impact is and will remain tangible for years to come. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and colleagues during this unthinkable time. Love to all.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dana a few times at LM Corporate HQ. Even in those brief conversations, she was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I remember her engaging smile and bubbly personality. I am extremely saddened to learn of her passing. A beautiful spirit gone too soon. RIP Dana.
To all of Dana’s family, I send my love and condolences for the loss of this vital young woman. Her mother Judith and I were best friends from middle school age until her premature passing. Dana and you will be in my prayers. Mary McGrath
Dana will truly be missed. She was the definition of “out-going”! For her memory to live forever in our hearts speaks volumes for the woman she was. My sincere sympathy to Dave and all of her family during this time of loss. Take comfort in knowing that Dana will long be remembered. Hold onto the memories.
I had the pleasure of working for Dana at Lockheed Martin for 8 months. She was one of a kind and I learned so much from her during our short time together. She was the best boss I’ve ever had – making everyone feel important, valued and included. Her enthusiasm, creativity, laughter and general zest for life will be sorely missed. My prayers go out to her husband, Dave, and other loving family members she has left behind. This is truly a tragic loss.
My sincere condolences are with the entire family of Dana. I only had the pleasure of meeting Dana on a few occasions where I once worked but who could forget such a fantastic person? It is a rare thing to meet a person of such vision but also so fun loving and vivacious. Loving thoughts go out especially to the Repps. Hugs from Shelly and Ron McMasters
We send our thoughts and prayers to the entire family of Dana. Her dad taught Steve at Liberty H.S. all 4 yrs and all of his brothers and sisters 9 I believe. Dana was a customer in my shop, Cottage Gate for many years and I always enjoyed her smiling face when Debbi brought her in. She will be missed. Praying for solace…fondly Steve and Rayanna DeFord
Hard to express how much you will be miss Dear Dana! I was blessed to go through school and graduate from RHS with you and also call you my Friend. The class of 1981 now has a special Angel watching over us. Love and prayers to all your family at this difficult time. Good bye until we meet in Heaven.
With love to a very special niece who brought joy to those fortunate to know her, and for us, we will miss her big smile and wonderful laugh that warmed your heart. Love you Dana.
Uncle John and Aunt Bobbi Jo
Dear Jensen Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Death is something that pains us all, we never want to see our love ones go. I will like to send my condolence to the family and friends, as well as, to share a comforting scripture. It’s Rev 21:4- ” And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” May this scripture bring comfort to you all, for this is a loving promise from our heavenly Father, a promise that soon all suffering will end, especially death.
Dana came into my life through my association with Junior Achievement, and I am so very blessed to have known her. My heart goes out to her entire family and vast network of friends. Dana’s memory inspires each of us to follow her shining example by living more, and loving more, each day.
Guestbook for
Dana Susan Jensen