Heidi Jensen Parker

Beloved daughter of Erik Sigurd Jensen and Ina Sorensen Jensen, both immigrants from Denmark, was born on July 1st, 1958 in Salt Lake City Utah where she lived until 1964. Her father then took a job in Santa Cruz, California. In 1966 The family moved to Bountiful Utah, where she lived until her marriage in 1979 to Todd Stewart Parker in the Salt Lake City LDS temple. Their first residence was West Bountiful, then Bountiful. After the birth of their son Derek, they moved to Centerville Utah, where daughter Alicia (Trump), son Justin, and Serena were born. Shortly after the birth of Serena the family moved to Hollister, California for an employment opportunity, where they resided for 8 years. In 2003 the family relocated to Utah and eventually settled in Kaysville.

As a school age girl she excelled in school, particularly in mathematics. It was in her analytic geometry class that she met, her husband, Todd. She asked her teachers what occupation required the most math, to which they answered electrical engineering. She really liked computers because her father oversaw computers for Zions Bank, but her father told her not to become a programmer, because the programmers he knew were “idiots”. Nonetheless she still loved computers and was able to create her own sort of curriculum, so that she could get her degree in electrical engineering with an emphasis in digital logic. Her university studies were interrupted for a time while she married (1979) and supported Todd in his efforts to finish his mechanical engineering degree and had their first child (Derek). She worked for Sperry Univac as a systems programmer during this time. At graduation from the University of Utah in 1984, she was the only female in her graduating class of electrical engineers. She was particularly proud of being the only female in her class and one of only three in the electrical engineering program in the college at that time.

After graduation, Heidi took time to be a mother, but then felt the need to use her intellect and education. She found a position at the University of Utah Seismograph Stations maintaining and programming the UNIX workstations which monitored earthquakes 24 hours a day throughout Utah and surrounding states. The position allowed her to work part-time and often in the evenings. She loved working there for six years. During this time, she gave birth to Alicia and Justin. The call of motherhood called to her again, so she left this position to be Mom and in 1995, Serena Seychelle joined our family as the youngest child. Immediately following her birth the family moved to Hollister California for Todd’s job. She felt the draw to use her mind and training again, so she found work first doing independent computer consulting and then later found a position as a systems administrator at Quantic Industries, where Todd also worked.

When she and Todd were suddenly unemployed, the family elected to return to Utah for the support of family. Heidi was able to get a computer operator position at Weber State University. Todd remained in California for a few months working for his former employer as a consultant. This was a difficult time for the whole family. After what seemed an eternity, Todd was able to get employment at Hill Airforce base. The family then reunited in Kaysville. Heidi continued to work at Weber, working her way into management of the Computer Help Desk, which she absolutely loved to do, working with the staff and students. Eventually Heidi learned web page development skills and became a web designer. She missed her Help Desk work, but found enjoyment in creating wonderful web pages, particularly for the school of nursing. When COVID-19 struck the world, Weber allowed those who could, work remotely, so she did.

Heidi had suffered with rheumatoid arthritis for many years. The medications for this terrible condition work by destroying a healthy immune system. The remote work schedule helped her to avoid COVID for about 18 months, but eventually she was infected with it when Todd became infected at his non-remote work. With her weakened immune system, she became very ill. First taken to Park City, treated briefly, then released. She did not recover and was taken a couple days later (October 30, 2021) to the emergency room at Layton hospital by ambulance because she could not breathe. Her condition was dire and she was intubated immediately. Todd was told to kiss her one last time. Luckily, Layton had no room to keep her, so she was transported to LDS Hospital. Because of being in the LDS hospital ICU, she was not sedated as per most hospital procedures. This difference undoubtedly saved her life. She was intubated for a total of 5 weeks clinging to life. It took 7 weeks before she finally tested negative for COVID, so she could be moved out of isolation in the ICU. After 74 days in the hospital, she was able to go home, only because Todd fought for her. Unbelievably, to the hospital staff, they agreed to release her while still requiring as much as 16 liters per minute of oxygen, requiring two 10 Lpm oxygen concentrators to make the needed oxygen.

A long fight for her life continued. After several months, her oxygen requirements reduced to a point where she only needed one 10 lpm O2 concentrator. Her lungs were severely damaged by the COVID and also from her arthritis. (Who knew that could be a thing?) She was left with only about 40% lung capacity and the need for a constant non-portable oxygen supply. She was essentially given a life sentence to her home. Heidi was thrice infected with COVID, most recently on the exact day, 4 years after her original infection. Again hospitalized, she developed C-Diff bacterial infection. Over Christmas, several members of the family became infected with the influenza virus, she and Todd were among the infected.

Heidi fought to recover from her infections, but her breathing and gut were not recovering. Her oxygen needs began to rise once again requiring a second concentrator. The frequent use of a second high flow oxygen mask was needed for her to get her blood oxygen levels to acceptable values. While awake, she became very anxious about her breathing with frequent residual coughing spells causing her oxygen levels to dip, stressing her mentally as well. Heidi passed in her sleep on January 9th, 2026 from the long-term effects of Covid-19 and a ravaged immune system.

As an active member of the LDS church, she served in many callings over the years, but her favorite was teaching the Primary children. She loved seeing them grow up, with fond thoughts of them as children, now adults.

Heidi loved being a mom, then a grandmother taking on the term of endearment, Mormor. She would sacrifice anything for her loved ones. One of her last great despairs was not being able to be more help to her children and grandchildren. At the risk of her life, she would sometimes insist on participating special family events. She was committed to seeing her family happy and loving toward each other.

Please rest now, our sweet Heidi and Mormor.

Heidi is preceded in death by her mother Ina Jensen and her son, Derek. She is survived by her husband Todd Parker, Daughter Alicia (Matt Trump), Justin (Rikki) and Serena; Father Erik Jensen; Siblings – Linda Baker, Kevin Jensen, and Wendy Dau. She also leaves behind 8 grandchildren, Freya Parker, Lanikai Keith, Luke Keith, Andromeda Hatch, Lyra Parker, Thorin Parker, Charlotte and Emery Trump.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 15th at 11:00am at 615 N. Flint St, Kaysville, Ut. A viewing will be held at the same location on Wednesday, January 14th from 6:00-8:00pm and Thursday morning from 9:45-10:45am.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to services and will be posted below.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the charity of your choice in her honor.