Leonard Jensen

Leonard Jensen died on Monday, August 30, 2010, at the St. James Medical Center in St. James. Leonard Jensen was born December 11, 1930, in Watonwan County, MN, the son of Christian and Marie (Engelbrecht) Jensen. Leonard was Baptized and Confirmed at First Lutheran Church in St. James. He attended rural School District #13 and graduated from St. James High School in 1948. He worked on the family farm until joining the Army in 1953 upon receiving his honorable discharge in 1955 he returned to farming in the area. On March 17, 1956, Leonard was united in marriage to Janice Oldenburg and they lived on the farm for 37 years. After retiring in 1991, they purchased a home on Long Lake where they lived for 16 years where they enjoyed the lake and boating. Leonard enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, sightseeing, playing pool and spending warm sunny winters in Arizona. He was a member of First Lutheran Church where he has served on church boards and ushered, he was a member of the American Legion where he had served as Commander and been on the Honor Guard for 50 years until his health forced him to retire. Leonard also served on the Watonwan County Fair Board where he had served as President. Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, a son-in-law Butch Brink, and a sister and brother-in-law Arlyne and Walter Runge. He is survived by his wife; Janice Jensen of St. James, 3 daughters; Diane Brink and special friend Jeff Duke of Spicer, Cheryl (Dave) Cardinal of Woodbury, Sandra (Rollie) Frank of Stewartville, a son; Warren (Deb) Jensen of Columbia Heights, 8 grandchildren; Dawn Brink, Dan Brink and his fianc Lucy Retka, Jamie (Eric) Bjonfald, Nathan Frank and special friend Kayla Baker, Ryan (Syd) Frank, Kristi Frank, Kevin Cardinal, Kimberly Cardinal, a sister; Lorraine (Donavan) Hopman of Madelia and a sister-in-law; Irene Miest of St. James, and numerous nieces and nephews.