Cindy was born on March 12, 1967 to Irvin and Karen Eliason in Stanley, ND. She went to her eternal place of rest on Thursday February 17th, 2022.

Cindy married her high school sweetheart, Jeff Jensen, on December 23, 1989. Since then, they have made their home in Eagle River, Alaska. From this union three daughters were born, twins Samantha and Jessica, and Holly.

Cindy attended school in Stanley, ND and graduated with the class of 1985. She then went on to earn a degree in Social Work from Minot State University. Her first job out of college was Director of Social Services at the Mountrail County Nursing Home in Stanley, ND. After moving to Alaska, Cindy worked for ARCA which is an organization serving individuals and their families who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities. During this time, she earned her education degree, along with a master’s in early childhood development. For a short period of time Cindy worked for the State of Alaska as a social worker, until she was asked to set up a head start program for the village of Nanwalek. Since then she has worked over 20 years as a K/1 teacher for the Anchorage school district. Cindy was instrumental in helping develop the Susitna Optional Program in the Anchorage school district.

For those of us who knew and loved her, we knew about the quirky side of Cindy. She could make a cup of coffee last a whole day and sometimes into the next. She loved the outdoors whether hiking, camping, or walking in the rain. Shopping at Costco, or just visiting Costco, and eating at Perkins Restaurant in North Dakota, were some of her favorite things to do. If she had a moment to sit, you could often find her snuggled up with a good fantasy fiction book. Cindy had her very own unique fashion style and it worked.

Cindy was known for her fun-loving spirit and had a personality that let family and her students shine. She lived by her own clock, if she was an hour late, she was on time by her standard. She affected many people and it wasn’t unusual for a parent or former student to show up out of no where and give her a hug. She was almost always the last one to leave a school event or function always making sure everyone and everything was taken care of. She affected so many lives.

Left to cherish their memories are her loving husband, and three daughters; father and mother, Irvin and Karen Eliason of Stanley, ND; sister, Tammy Wilhelmi (Tom), nieces Abby and Madison Wilhelmi of Beach, ND; mother-in-law, Janet Jensen; Alaska grandma and grandpa JoAnn and Doug Jensen; aunt and uncles Bonny Kleinsasser (Herb), Millie Mohl, Don Eliason (Eldora), Virgil Eliason (Mary), Julie Eliason; Murry Eliason (Bonnie) and numerous cousins.

Cindy was preceded in death by immediate family, grandparents Bert and Agnes Eliason; Iver and Lucy Johnson; and father in law, Earl Jensen; along with aunts, uncles and cousins.