Dennis Jensen

Dennis M. Jensen, 72, Bismarck, died Thursday, August 6, 2009, in a Bismarck hospital. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 10, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Steve Sathre officiating. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. today, August 9, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Visitation will continue Monday, one hour prior to the service, at the church.

Dennis was born January 11, 1937, on the family farm south of Anamoose, N.D., the son of Victor and Palma (Stafslien) Jensen. He grew up and attended schools in Anamoose. After graduating from Anamoose High School in 1954, he began his 32 years of service in the National Guard, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

On October 26, 1957, he married Joan Harstad in Williston, where they made their home. While living in Williston, Dennis worked in floor covering and later began his career with the N.D. Parks and Recreation. In 1976, he was transferred to Bismarck and continued working with the Parks service, retiring in 2004.

Dennis enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. Following his retirement he enjoyed traveling the world and this past July fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting his father's birthplace in Denmark. Dennis was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck, the American Legion, and the Bismarck Moose and Elks lodges.

Dennis is survived by: his wife, Joan, Bismarck; his children, Tammy Barrett, Williston, Randy (Karen) Jensen, Soldotna, Alaska, Rory Jensen (Wayan Tirtayantini), Bali, Indonesia, and Toni (Shannon) Sailer, Lakeville, Minn.; his sister, Verdyne Ziegler, Devils Lake; 11 grandchildren, Andrew, Daniel, and Matthew Barrett, Sara, Colten, Jenna, and Dillon Jensen, and Dalton, Austin, Torie, and Trenton Sailer; his mother-in-law, Agnes Harstad, Williston; his sister-in-law, Esther Jensen, of Harvey, N.D.; and his brother-in-law, Leonard (Dori) Harstad, Williston; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Duane; and his parents.

Go to (www.parkwayfuneral.com) to share memories of Dennis and sign the online guestbook.