David “Dave” L. Jensen, 81, of Owatonna, died Friday, June 10, 2016 at Koda Living Community in Owatonna.
David was born Oct 13, 1934 to Melvin (Molly) Jensen and Edna (Hofius) Jensen in Owatonna, MN. David attended the "Little Red School" and graduated from Owatonna high School in 1953. After high school, David went into the Army, being stationed at Ft Riley, Ft Devon and finally stationed in Iceland. Coming home from the Military, David worked for Wonderbread, sold cars for Bennett Auto Sales, and then opened his first restaurant, The Owatonna City Cafe.
David met and married the love of his life, Ruth (McColley) Jensen, Oct 10, 1959 in New Richland, MN. They have been married for 67 years. From this union they had four children and three survived, Craig, Cyndy and Darrell.
David then continued his hospitality career by managing the Owatonna Elks, Owatonna Country
Club, LeSuer Country Club, Mesa Arizona Country Club, and Faribault Country Club. He moved the family to Aitkin, MN to open his second restaurant, The Birchwood Inn. He then had an opportunity to work as a Personal Chef to Jeno Palucci at his island get away in Ely, MN. Following that, Robert Schuster came and asked David to move back to his hometown and manage Jerry's Supperclub. David bought Jerry's from Robert in 1991 and sold it in 2000. After retiring, David then worked for Casey's General Store and helped out at the Taste of the Big Apple. Ruth and David enjoyed many winters in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. When Ruth could no longer join him, David went alone and volunteered to help out in the kitchen of the Eagles Club in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. He also helped in organizing OHS ‘50s Reunions.
David, Craig, Cyndy, then founded the Owatonna In Support of Alzheimer's. David enjoyed spending time with wife, Ruth at the Brooks, feeding her at every meal, and also spending time with his grandkids, watching their various sports and dance activities, taking granddaughter, Lacey to pancakes at the Eagles, and great-granddaughter, Lily to lunch at McDonald's.
David was a member of the Masons, Jesters, Past President of the Owatonna Shrine Club, American Vets Club, Elks, Eagles, VFW, and 1st Division of the U.S. Army Society. He was also member of the Eagles and Moose Clubs in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
David is survived by his wife Ruth; children, Cynthia Hensrud of Owatonna, Darrell and Christine Jensen of Centerville, MN; grandchildren, Lacey and Molly Hensrud of Owatonna, Garrett, Dane, Kylie, Sloane, of Centerville, MN; great-granddaughter, Lily Hensrud of Owatonna; sister, Cologne (Jensen) Hortop of Owatonna and sisters-n-law, Marge and Carl Stewart of Owatonna and Nancy and Stan Honstad of New Richland, MN and nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin (Molly) and Edna (Hofius) Jensen; one infant brother; one infant sister; his son, Craig; an infant daughter and brothers-in-law, Howard Hortop and Jack Anderson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family in memory of David or the Owatonna in support of Alzheimers.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna with Dr. Biran Carlson officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Steele County Honor Team. A visitation will be held from 3-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 16th and 10-11 a.m. Friday, June 17th, all at the funeral home.