Donald Sigurd Jensen
POLSON - Donald Sigurd Jensen, 79, of Elmo died quietly Aug. 3, 2004, at his home after courageously fighting a long illness. He was born April 12, 1925, to Walter and Lillie Jensen, and attended school in Polson until joining the Navy soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was attached to the Sixth Marines Division as a Seabee and was sent to China and the Philippines, where he was engaged in the Battle for Leyte Gulf.
Upon returning from the Navy, he completed his high school education with the Polson High School Class of '45. He later attended Montana State University and became an operating engineer before assuming ownership and operations of the Jensen family ranch.
On Feb. 15, 1957, Donald married Carrie Anna Marshall in Polson at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. They had two children, Sigurd and Leif.
Donald was a lifelong member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council. He was a member of the VFW Post 2986, DAV, American Legion Post 112, Elks Lodge 1695, and a charter member of the Mission Valley Chapter of the Sons of Norway.
Don was instrumental in starting the Elmo Chief Cliff Fire Department and was active with the department where he served as fire chief.
Donald is survived by his wife, Carrie Jensen of Elmo; his two sons, Sigurd M. Jensen of Elmo, and Leif D. Jensen and his wife Nancy of Fort Wayne, Ind.; his brothers and sisters, Walden (Bernice) Jensen of Missoula, Nordis (Ron) Baker of Tacoma, Dolores Franzen of San Diego, Doris (Harlis) Hansen of Edmonds, Wash., Wayne (Karen) Jensen of Kalispell; grandchildren, Kelly of Elmo, Catherine, Kerrianne, and Erik, all of Fort Wayne, and many nieces and nephews, all of whom were special to him.
Services were held at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Aug. 10 with interment with military honors following at the Lakeview Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson, or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements were by Grogan Funeral Home of Polson.