Vernon Jensen

Vernon L. Jensen, 94, of Fergus Falls, died Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls. Vernon Lewis Jensen was born on September 14, 1917 in Wildrose, ND to Carl and Sophie (Oppegard) Jensen. He moved to Fergus Falls in 1931 and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1936. After graduation he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, doing survey work for a year. Vernon then worked as a bookkeeper at the Fergus Falls State Hospital until joining the U.S. Army in January of 1941. Vernon was stationed at Fort Ord, California where he married Bernice Danielson of Fergus Falls on February 13, 1942 in the Fort Ord Chapel. If Vernon had lived five days longer, he and Bernice would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. He was later stationed in San Diego and at Camp White in Medford, Oregon before being sent overseas in April 1944. He served with the 163rd medical regiment in North Africa before joining an infantry unit fighting in Italy until the end of the war. In Milan, Italy, Vernon witnessed Mussolini hanging in the town square. After Vernon was discharged from the Army in September, 1945, he returned to Fergus Falls before joining his brother Clarence selling magazines in Iowa. He later worked as a mail carrier in Fergus Falls and then started a construction business with his father and brother in 1947, before owning his own business, Vernon L. Jensen Construction. During the next 30 years, he built many homes, apartment complexes and light commercial buildings in the Fergus Falls area, and developed large parcels of property on the northeast and southeast sides of town, most notably Jensen Countryside Addition and Birchwood River Estates. He also donated parcels of property to the Fergus Falls School District. He retired in 1981 at age 64. Vernon was a lifetime member of the DAV, VFW, and American Legion organizations. He was also a previous member of the Eagles and a longtime member of the Fergus Falls Elks Club. He served 15 years on the board of Pioneer Home as well as on the board for Zion Lutheran Church, where he was a longtime member. He had a special interest in classic cars, spending many hours restoring them and attending car auctions around the country. He was a member of the Fergus Falls Classic Car Club, and took pride in exhibiting his 1931 Oldsmobile in local parades and car shows. Vernon and Bernice enjoyed dining and dancing at the local clubs to old time music every Saturday night. They also enjoyed traveling, especially their annual road trips through the southwest and to the west coast for many years, visiting friends and relatives. He was also an avid Minnesota Twins fan. Vernon served as an example of hard work, integrity and humility, for his family and for everyone who knew him. He took special pride in his children and grandchildren, giving them unfailing love and support through the years. Vernon is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 69 years, Bernice; three children: Leon (Jeanne) Jensen, Duane Jensen, and Linda (Bill) Doughty, all of the Fergus Falls area; four grandchildren: Eric (Teresa) Jensen, Brady (Alicia) Jensen, Ryan (Jill) Jensen and Laura Payne; and nine great-grandchildren: McKenna and Quinn Jensen, Linnea, Nolan and Maris Jensen, Simon Jensen, and Lewis, Courtney and Lance Payne. He is also survived by one sister, Irene (Gene) Smith of Ventura, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents and his three brothers, Clarence, Roy and Lawrence. Memorials are preferred to the Fergus Falls DAV Chapter #25, PO Box 435, Fergus Falls MN 56537.  Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church Service: 1:30 p.m. Monday, February 13, 2012, at Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Marv Abrahams Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.