Clark Jensen

Clark D. Jensen of Freeborn, MN lost his hard-fought battle with cancer on Saturday, March 10th, 2018 at St Francis Medical Center in Shakopee, MN. He died the way he lived, surrounded by his loving family. He was 77 years of age. Memorial services for Clark will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Bonnerup Funeral Service Chapel in Albert Lea, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the chapel. The service will be officiated by Scott Jensen, Clark’s nephew. In addition, Clark’s military service will be recognized by military honors. Interment at Freeborn Cemetery at a later date with his family. Clark was born May 23, 1940 in Mallard, Iowa the son of Ejnar (Joe) Jensen and Anna (Falkert) Jensen. He graduated from Mallard High School and immediately joined the US Navy. He proudly served his country aboard an aircraft carrier as an aviation electronics technician. He was united in marriage to Wanda L. Wood and blessed with five children; Sheldon, Robin, Melissa, Eric and Lori. He later wed Nancy Johannsen who brought three children to the marriage; Melissa, Rhonda and Brett. Clark well understood the value of hard work. He grew up on a farm, later trained as a welder, and owned his own business. He started working on job sites pushing buggies of concrete up make-shift ramps and within a few years he was the site superintendant, responsible for building multi-million dollar feed mills all over the US and Canada. He was widely recognized in his industry, achieving numerous awards and respect by colleagues and workers. Clark had been a member of the Freeborn Congregational Church, the V.F.W., the NRA, Freeborn American Legion, Studebaker Club, and A.A. for over 33 years. He was an active Red Cross Volunteer and traveled wherever needed, whether it was to assist with cleanup efforts after Hurricane Katrina on the Gulfcoast, or in southern Minnesota after a tornado touchdown. His passions included baseball and football, old cars (mainly Studebakers), creative tinkering (he could fix anything if you gave him a little time in the green shed), and had a love for gardening and canning at the cabin. He was a better listener than a talker, humble and a friend to all. His family and grandchildren were the light of his life, and they will miss him beyond measure. Clark is survived by his wife of 38 years, Nancy Jensen of Freeborn, MN; children, Sheldon Jensen of Freeborn, MN, Melissa Patterson of West Concord, MN, Eric (Mary Jo) Jensen of Plymouth, MN, Lori (Ward) Blomquist of Bloomington, MN, Melissa (Kenny) Britzius of Wells, MN, Rhonda (Mike) Heilmann of Albert Lea, MN, Brett (Theresa) Bair of Waseca, MN; son-in-law Neil O’Brien of Denver, CO; siblings, Phyllis Chumbley of Indianola, IA and Jim (Bev) Jensen of Charles City, IA; mother-in-law, Betty Johannsen of Albert Lea, MN; sister-in-law, Susan (Donald) Walser of Hutchinson, MN; many grand and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Robin O’Brien; great grandson, Bayden Christensen; brothers, Arnold, Roger, Norman and Gordon Barg; sister, Dorothy Wood.