Dennis M. Jensen, 72, Bismarck, died Aug. 6, 2009. Services are at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. Steve Sathre officiating. Burial is at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation is from 1 to until 4 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck.  Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church.

Dennis was born Jan. 11, 1937, on the family farm south of Anamoose, 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 Oct. 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 North Dakota 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, the American Legion and the Bismarck Moose and Elks clubs.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Joan, Bismarck; his children, Tammy Barrett, Williston; Randy (Karen) Jensen, Soldotna, Ark., 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, Harvey; 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.