Donald Jensen

Donald Duane Jensen, 90, of Lenoir, died in Lenoir on Saturday April 16, 2016 after recent battles with pneumonia. Don was born in Hamburg, Iowa on November 8, 1925, to the late Louis Marvin Jensen and Hazel Marie Gustason Jensen. As a young boy he helped with the family restaurant and hotel. Don graduated from high school at age 16. After high school he attended Wentworth Military Academy prior to enrolling at Iowa State University, where he attended a year before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, and served until the end of WWII. He then returned to Iowa State and earned an Electrical Engineering degree in 1947. During his time at Iowa State, he was student manager of the Cyclones basketball team who won the Big Six Conference Title. After graduation, he returned home and helped with the family business. He further pursued his education, earning teaching credits from Peru State Teachers College. While teaching at Peru State he met his future wife, Virginia Katherine Handley, and they were married on July 30, 1950 in Shubert, Nebraska. Don valued knowledge and education, spending several years teaching high school math, physics, and chemistry. Don then pursued a career with Wagner Electric Corporation, as a traveling sales engineer. He moved his family from Hamburg to St. Louis, and later to Charlotte where he called on Western Carolina Electrical Supply Company as part of his Carolina's service area. In 1960, he and his family moved to Lenoir and he bought into WCESCO, ultimately becoming the owner and CEO. Don worked at WCESCO for over 24 years before retiring and turning over the daily operations to his sons. Since his retirement, Don remained active in company oversight as Chairman and CEO. In 1969, after the death of his youngest son, Don became a founder, organizer, and supporter of Caldwell Opportunities, Inc. This local organization provides developmental and vocational services to adults with disabilities who live in Caldwell County, to maximize their independence and employment once they age out of public schools. To honor his work with COI, The Don Jensen Habilitation Scholarship was created through CCCTI to improve the lives of disabled citizens. Don was active in his community, church and family: a youth baseball and softball coach; a member and past president of the Caldwell County Agricultural Fair Board; and a past board of directors for the Caldwell Senior Center. Don remained an active and dedicated member, past president, and "cheap electrician" of the Baton Ruritan Club. Don was active in the Baton community serving as treasurer on the Baton Steering Committee, and was on the Baton Water Corporation Board of Directors. Don attended Gamewell United Methodist Church, North Catawba Baptist Church, and has been a long time member of Colliers United Methodist Church and has served on numerous committees. Throughout his life, Don proudly donated over 22 gallons of blood through the American Red Cross. Don was an expert craftsman and woodworker; He enjoyed bowling, golfing, collecting antique cars, mind puzzles, watching sports, and using his computer. Don was a loving caregiver for his wife for over a decade while she battled with dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his older brother, Lyle Marvin Jensen(1943); his loving wife of 63 1/2 years, Virginia Handley Jensen(2013); his youngest son, Mark Terrell Jensen(1969); and his oldest son, Lyle Donal Jensen(2015). Don is survived by his son Brent Landon Jensen(Allison); daughter-in-law, Diana Stamey Jensen; grandchildren: Douglas Steven Jensen, Joe Mark Jensen, Amy Marie Jensen Dunlap(Lee), and Louis Landon Jensen; great-granddaughter, Caroline Hazel Dunlap; and a devoted companion, his dog Whitey. The family would like to thank: his caregiver and friend, Mary Shell; and his personal physician, Dr. Marc P. Guerra; Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care of Lenoir. A funeral Service honoring Don Jensen will be held at 4:00pm on Saturday, April 23 at Colliers United Methodist Church with Pastor Lori Anne Bowen presiding. The family will receive friends for two hours prior to the service, starting at 2:00pm in the Church Sanctuary. Interment will follow at a later date in Hamburg, IA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to: Caldwell Opportunities, Inc. 1617 College Ave SW Lenoir, NC 28645 or Baton Ruritan Club 1488 Baton School Road Granite Falls, NC 28630. Online condolences can be sent to the Jensen Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com Evans Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Jensen Family.