Roland Jensen

Roland Theodore Jensen was born to Niels and Serina (Trenker) Jensen on August 8, 1919 at Viborg, SD. He grew up in the Viborg/Davis/Hooker, SD area and the family later moved to a farm at Marvin. Roland met his wife, Edith Sturgeon of Summit as he drove his sisters to the country school where she taught. They were united in marriage at the Methodist Parsonage in Webster on December 30, 1942, while Pvt. Jensen was on military leave. Edith followed Roland to Chanute Field, Rantoul, IL, and later to Grand Island, NE, where he was stationed in the Army Air Corps. Roland proudly served his country from April 14, 1942 until his Honorable Discharge on December 17, 1945. They made their home in Sioux Falls, where Roland was employed at John Morrell & Co. for 52 years as a cook in the Canning Dept. The couple began their family in October of 1953 when they were blessed with twin daughters. Roland was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Golden Rodents, where he had served as Chaplain, life member of the American Legion and Legion Go Getters, the 40/8 and the Elks (BPOE) and was also a member of the First United Methodist Church. Roland was 91 years old when died Sunday, February 27, 2011, at the V.A. Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Roland will be remembered for his dedicated spirit toward the service organizations to which he belonged, recruiting members (Go Getters) for the American Legion; and distributing Forget-Me-Nots for the DAV. He attended conventions for all of his service organizations, often accompanying his dear friend, Delbert Foster. His dedication to volunteerism for the veteran community provided a pathway to patriotism for his family. He surrounded himself with family and friends, especially enjoying family vacations to Roy Lake and more recently to Cutty?s Resort at Lake Okoboji, IA in their motor home. Roland was an avid pheasant hunter and fisherman. His grandchildren fondly remember many games of Rummy and never winning a single game against Grandpa. His pancakes were his specialty and his fridge was always stocked full with pop and grapefruit for the grandkids. Roland is survived by his twin daughters; Linda Rae Placek of Pierre and Judy Swensen (Roger Sayler, fiance) of Wakonda; his four grandchildren; Brian Spurrell (Nicole), Irene; Shawn Spurrell (Alisha), Delmont; Erin Miller (Garet), Brandon; and Casey Placek, Pierre; two great grandsons, Gavin and Dashel Spurrell; three great granddaughters, Aliyah, Ainsley and Larissa Spurrell and two sisters; Evelyn Chance, Durham, NC and Delores (Leroy) Butenschoen, Sioux Falls, SD and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Edith L. Jensen, his parents, his sister, Betty Wilkes and brother, Alven Jensen and twin son and daughter.