Marvin Leroy Jensen

Marvin Leroy Jensen, the son of Laust F. and Dorothy (Steffensen) Jensen, was born August 23, 1926, at his parents’ home in Cameron Township Audubon County, Iowa and died October 30, 2016, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 90 years, 2 months, and 7 days.
Marvin was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. He attended the Viola Consolidated Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1944. Marvin then helped his father and uncle operate the family farm. On August 13, 1945, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. During his tour of duty he was a light truck driver carrying personnel and automotive repair parts in the European Theater of Operations. He was honorably discharged on January 10, 1947, and returned to operate the family farm.
On December 12, 1947, he was united in marriage to Mary Lucille Anderson at the Methodist Church Parsonage in Audubon, Iowa. Four children Jerry, Douglas and two infants who died in child birth were born to this union. Marvin continued to farm growing row crops and raising livestock until 1960 when they sold their farm equipment and purchased Gardner’s Store. They sold dry goods and produce for many years. During this time Marvin also drove a School Bus for the Audubon Community Schools. They closed the store in May of 1972 and Marvin worked for the Guthrie County Hospital in the repair and maintenance department. Lucille died from cancer on July 27, 1984.
On May 30, 1987 he married Valetta (Sorensen) Madsen at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. Marvin continued to work until he retired in December of 1989. During retirement he enjoyed traveling around the US especially to visit relatives.
Marvin was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. He enjoyed hunting and especially enjoyed fishing. He enjoyed playing card games, board games, and darts. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.
Preceding him in death was his wife Mary Lucille Jensen; two infant children; his step-sons Dennis Madsen and Donald Madsen; his parents; his sister Lillian and husband Wayne Kopaska; his nephew Wayne Arthur Kopaska; his brothers-in-law Paul and wife June Anderson, Oral and wife Lorraine Anderson, and Gene Anderson.
Survivors include his wife Valetta Jensen of Audubon, Iowa; his sons Jerry and wife Mary Jensen of Atlantic, Iowa, Doug and Susan Jensen of Audubon, Iowa, Larry Madsen of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and Jeff and wife Chelle Madsen of Creston, Iowa; his grandchildren Jay and wife Tracie Jensen of Brayton, Iowa, Jason and wife Teri Jensen of Ames, Iowa, Sara and husband Tim Finnegan of Knoxville, Iowa, Shawn and wife Jennifer Jensen and Lindsay Madsen all of Des Moines, Iowa, Jacob and wife Elizabeth Madsen of Des Moines, Iowa, and Tiffany Madsen of Chicago, Illinois; his great grandchildren Geena and Kyle Jensen both of Ames. Iowa, Tyler, Jordan, Jennifer, and Jack Jensen all of Brayton, Iowa, Jensen, Joseph, and Molly Finnegan all of Knoxville, Iowa, and Clara Jensen of Des Moines, Iowa; his sisters Wynona Anderson of Audubon, Iowa and Ardis and husband Dale Eiben of Corpus Christi, Texas; his brothers-in-law Merle and wife Joyce Anderson of Eudora, Kansas and Leroy Sorensen of Harlan, Iowa; his sister-in-law Hazel; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
The family will meet with friends on Wednesday morning November 2, 2016, from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the service at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Doug Opp on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at 11:00 A.M. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The casket bearers will be Jay Jensen, Jason Jensen, Sara Finnegan, Tim Finnegan, Shawn Jensen, and Jacob Madsen.