Myrtle Viola (Jensen) Jarvis, 102, of Conroe, Texas, died Sunday, April 15th 2012, at her home in Conroe.

She was born March 17th, 1910, in Overton, Nebraska, the oldest of two children born to John and Sigrid Peterson and was adopted by Jacob and Helene (Jensen) Jensen at the age of four. She was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Cozad, Nebraska, in 1925 and graduated from Lexington High School with the Class of 1926.

In 1936, Myrtle married Alvin Jarvis in Cozad and to this union two children were born, Gary and Arlene. The couple first lived in McGrath, Minnesota, where they started a family and would spend the next 20 years farming. In 1956, they returned to Holdrege, Nebraska, where Alvin worked for Palmer-Brother's Granite Company while Myrtle was a homemaker and provided daycare for several neighborhood children. In 1981, the couple ventured west to Loveland, Colorado, to live with their daughter and family until 1984. Again, they returned to Holdrege, which became Alvin's final resting place when he passed away in 1988. Myrtle remained in Holdrege until 1997, but then moved back to Loveland in order to be closer to her family. In 2011, she headed south to the warmer climate of Conroe.

Myrtle left her footprints on the hearts of many over the course of her long life. Family, friends and acquaintances, alike, were blessed to have been touched by her authentic love, kindness, thoughtfulness and compassion. She was a pillar of faith, hope, strength and perseverance to all those who crossed her path. A remarkably humble person, her words of advice were always simple, yet profound. Nan was a genuine treasure, who will be greatly missed.

Besides her parents and husband, Alvin she was preceded in death by a son, Gary and a brother, William Jensen.

Myrtle is survived by her daughter, Arlene Fitch of Conroe; granddaughter, Desiree Calvelage and her husband, Mike of Conroe; grandson, Derek Fitch of Colorado Springs, Colorado; granddaughter Dayna Connell and her husband, Steve of St. George, Utah; six great-grandchildren, Devin Heitman, Kianna Fitch, Garret Kroger, Trevor Connell, Travis Connell and Troy Connell; Goddaughter, Janet Severin; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Graveside Services were conducted on Saturday, April 21st, 2012, at 10 a.m., at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege, with the Rev. Jamie Strickler officiating.

To memorialize Myrtle's life, please consider buying a flower for a friend or family member and simply thanking them for something they've done. Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege was in charge of the arrangements.