Life on the Ranch

The Work Was Never Done:
School, Holidays, and Home Life

All of Jens' children attended Palomares School at various times. It would take 2½ hours to go to and from the small schoolhouse at the head of Palomares Canyon (near present-day I-580). The children walked up and down the rolling hills between the Ranch and school.  After finishing grammar school, the children attended Union High School District #3 in Hayward, which later became Hayward High School.

The Jensens maintained  a close connection with the schools, as education was highly prized within the disciplined Germanic customs of the 19th century. Jens was a trustee as long as his children were in attendance. Outside of formal schooling, Christiane taught the Jensen children to speak and write in their (the parents') native German tongue.

All Jens' children were confirmed in the Lutheran faith, but later joined the Eden Congregational Church. The children were all grown when they made their commitment, and their contribution to the church continued with whole-hearted devotion as long as they lived.