John Jensen, age 89, of Huron, SD, died Monday, August 30, 2010, at Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

His memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 2, at First United Methodist Church with burial of his cremated remains at Riverside Cemetery and Military Rites by the Huron Veterans Council.

The family will be present to greet friends Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. at Welter Funeral Home.

John Alfred Jensen, son of Hans and Christine (Larsen) Jensen, was born on August 3, 1921, in Huron, SD. The family lived in the country but during his youth they lived in town during the summertime where he worked for a couple from Carpenter. He received his education in Huron and attended Huron High School.

Following his formal education he worked for several different ranches/farms in the area attending to their horses.

On September 19, 1941, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served aboard ship in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II. He was honorably discharged on November 6, 1946. He returned to Huron where he worked at Montgomery Wards for a few years.

On September 3, 1948, John married Edith Williams in Huron. To this union 3 sons were born: Larry (July 6, 1950), Ross (September 26, 1953), and Mark (February 4, 1956). Edith died from cancer on November 8, 1957.

On April 19, 1951, he was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on June 19, 1952. Again, he returned to Huron and began a 34-year career with Huron Transfer and Storage Company until his retirement in 1986.

In the early 1960s, John married Verbena Woodruff in Huron. They were divorced a short time later.

In 2000, John moved to the Senior Center apartments where he lived until May of 2010 when he moved to SunQuest Healthcare Center.

He was a life-member of American Legion William Reaves Post #7; life-member of VFW Forrest McMullen Post #1776; life-member of 40 et 8; VFW Post Commander in 1973; past member of American Legion Board of Directors; and Huron Color Guard (Huron Veterans Council) representing veterans at funerals, special events, and posting colors. He was honored as Legionnaire for the state of South Dakota for the year 2000 with a plaque for a life-time of dedication and service to American Legion Post activities. For many, many years, John was a regular at the VFW building helping with Bingo, bartending, fixing things, or being the general handyman.

In addition, his varied interests included hunting (in his early years); visiting with his friends; and making boats (origami) out of dollar bills and giving them away as tips.

He is survived by 2 sons, Ross (Jeannie) Jensen of Huron, and Mark (Diane) Jensen of Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico; daughter-in-law, Dawn Jensen of Vermillion, SD; 6 grandchildren, April Jensen of Aberdeen, Eric Jensen of Aberdeen, Joshua Jensen of Portland, OR, Shane Jensen of Kalispell, MT, Dominique (Crystal) Jensen of Huron, and Jackie (Rick) Canfield of Larimore, ND; 4 great grandchildren, Morgan Lolly, Patrick Jensen, Ricky Canfield, and Mackenzie Jensen; and 1 brother, Robert Jensen of De Smet, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Edith; 1 son, Larry Jensen on June 12, 1989; 5 brothers, Frank, Louie, Walter, Ralph, and James; 3 sisters, Minnie, Dorothy, and Irene; several brothers-in law and sisters-in-law, including Marge Jensen.