Donald Jensen

On May 12, 2016, Donald George Jensen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 23, 1933, in Rochester to Ellamae (Mather) and Carl Christian Jensen. He attended Rochester High School and graduated in 1952. He was inducted into the US Army in 1953 where he received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct medal. After being honorably discharged in 1955, he continued to serve for eight years in the Army reserves. Don worked for Braniff Airlines for five years before working for IBM as a designer and drafter for 32 years. Don was first married to Darlyn Gae Haack in 1953. Their son Wayne was born in 1956. They were later divorced. On September 22, 1971, he married Marlys Hanson Severson. They have two daughters, Laurel and Julie. He greatly enjoyed his grandchildren and family, boating, fishing, dancing, gardening, and the great outdoors. He was a very devoted, caring, and loving husband and father and will be greatly missed. Survivors include his loving wife of 45 years, Marlys (Hanson Severson) and brother Robert Jensen of Rochester; son Wayne of Minneapolis; stepsons Michael of South Range, WI and Gary of Rochester; and daughters Laurel (Nathan Coutts) of Los Angeles, and Julie (Dr. Andrew Kean) of San Luis Obispo; brother-in-laws John Homyak of Jordan; Robert (Sally) Hanson of Gainesville, GA; Donald (Jean) Hanson of Rochester; and sister-in-laws Mary Schmitter of Rochester and Kathy (Loren) Olson of Mazeppa; as well as many wonderful caring nieces, nephews, and their families. He also has three grandchildren: Isadora Talulah Jensen Coutts, Phineas James Kean, and Rosalie Autumn Kean. Lastly, he is survived by his two dear friends John Caffes and Boyd Pew.Preceded in death were his parents, his sister Mary Homyak, his brother Richard, and his brother-in-law Paul Schmitter. We would like to thank the wonderful, compassionate, special Hospice workers, medical staff, doctors, Pastor Bandel and Reverend Dr. Norm Wahl. Don donated his tissue and organs to Mayo Clinical research. Beloved, my love, rest in peace, until we are together again. There will be a memorial service on Monday, May 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church.Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.