Dee Anna Jensen

Dee Anna Jensen (Williams), 86, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025 at Paramount Parks Memory Care in Eagle, Idaho. She was born on October 23, 1938, in Pocatello, ID, to Horace (Bill) Williams and Shirley Jones. Her parents relocated to Boise after WWII when Dee was 7. Dee attended grade school at Franklin Elementary, middle school at West Junior High and she was a proud graduate of Boise High School class of 1957.

Dee married Darwin R. Chaffin in 1957 at her parent’s house in Boise. She was a housewife and busy mother of two active boys, Dar Jr. and Gary for the first 10+ years of their marriage. Her husband Darwin was employed by Clover Club Potato Chips during that time and they were transferred for business to Burley, Idaho, then Odessa, Texas, onward to Idaho Falls, Idaho and eventually put down more permanent roots in Kimberly, Idaho. As a young family, they spent many weekends and vacations camping in the Idaho mountains, fishing and riding motorcycles on back country trails. As the boys grew older, Dee started working outside the home. She was an accomplished seamstress, and when money was tight, she made clothes for the men in her life. Utilizing this talent, she did alterations for the Paris Department Store in Twin Falls. Following that she became the Dry Goods Manager at Arnolds Department Store in Kimberly. Dee was hardworking and detail oriented, not to mention a self-proclaimed “clean freak”. Dee and Darwin divorced in 1981 but remained friends.

Dee changed careers and started waitressing at the Buffalo Restaurant in Twin Falls where she met her second husband, Darrell W. Jensen. They married in 1989 and they bought a 40 acre ranch in Hagerman, Idaho. As partners, they built their house, raised cows, and made many friends. Unfortunately, this chapter ended with Darrell having a stroke and as always, Dee took to this responsibility with love and compassion. They sold the ranch closing that chapter in 2003 and moved to Eagle, Idaho.

Dee loved gardening, collecting cookbooks, playing piano and music. One of her favorite things was to paint…on all kinds of mediums. She was very talented, breaking away from just canvas to painted ornaments, bird houses, statues, gourds and rocks. Her family cherishes her works of art.

She loved life, had a fantastic sense of humor and a very kind heart. After Darrell passed, a big golden doodle named Goldie took his place in her life. Dee was devoted to Goldie and they walked daily, got into mischief together and loved each other unconditionally.

Dee loved her family. She was blessed with 3 sisters that she adored and she relished the times that she spent with them…whether it be going to lunch or camping in the Idaho Mountains. Dee’s sons, Dar Jr. and Gary live in the area and she was involved and instrumental in all family events. The boys always say how very blessed they are to call her “Mom”.

Dee was especially fond of babies and children. She relished the time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dee went on 3 family trips, two to Hawaii and one to Italy. She lived in a 55+ community and her neighbors were very special to her.

Dee was preceded in death by her beloved husband Darrell W. Jensen, her parents, and her sister Judy. She is survived by two sisters: Susan Hinsz and Debbie Lund/Kevin. Her two sons, Darwin/Mary Chaffin and Gary/Paula Chaffin. Five grandchildren: Greg/Ryann Chaffin, Angie/Patrick Coyne, Brandon/Sheree Chaffin, Chad/Hayden Chaffin, Morgan Hoffman/Matt Biegler. Twelve Great-grandchildren: Caleb, Bennett, Addie, Siena, Kian, Braden, Dallas, Maya, Gracelynn, Brannick, Everett, and Kennedi. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews and friends. Family, friends, and others are invited to the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Home, 5400 Fairview Avenue, Boise, ID 83706 at 10:00 a.m. on May 16, 2025 to reminisce and honor the life of Dee Anna Jensen. There will be a luncheon at the home of Darwin and Mary Chaffin immediately following the ceremony. Dee will be laid to rest with her late husband, Darrell W. Jensen at the Idaho State Veteran’s Cemetery, Boise the following week.