Donald Dean Jensen

Donald Dean Jensen was born on April 1,1937 in Cordova, NE. He was the 13th child of August Willam Jensen and Mary (DeCamp) Jensen. He passed from this life on Sunday, February 8, 2026. August and Mary Jensen went on to have 16 children - 8 boys and 8 girls. Don grew up in York, NE and lived there into adulthood. Following his graduation from York High School, he joined the army in October 1955 and served in Heidelberg, Germany until October 1958. Don then returned to York and attended York Christian College where he met his first wife, Sue Ann Covalt. Don began his sales career in York when he started working for JM McDonalds, a Midwest regional department store. Don and Sue married in 1961 and shortly after moved to Norfolk, NE where Don and Sue were the leading force in starting a Church of Christ congregation. They had two children, Karla Ann (Jensen) Taylor and Gregory Dean Jensen.

In 1969 the family moved to Broken Bow NE. In July of 1976 Sue passed away from a brain tumor. Earlier that same month, while visiting his wife in the hospital he met Susan Jones who was also in the hospital and whose husband had passed away from a motor vehicle accident. That fall they began a long distance courtship since she lived in Cedar Falls, IA and the following year they were married. They then moved to Norman, OK where they have lived until Don’s passing. Don and Susan have one child, Marc Glenn Jensen. All three of Don’s children are married, giving Don 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Don was a man of many talents. In his free time, he was an avid gardener, loved working outdoors, and keeping his lawn beautiful. He planted and cared for many trees, from fruit trees to large oaks and maples. Professionally, he was a consummate salesman. If you walked into a store and he helped you, you most likely walked out with some merchandise. During his employment at Evans Furniture, in 17 different months, he exceeded $50,000 in sales. This earned Don 17 diamond pins which are now part of a beautiful necklace worn by Susan. Don loved to sing; he led singing in every congregation where he worshipped. He passed on his love of music to all of his children and grandchildren. He and Susan enjoyed attending drama productions at the University of Oklahoma and the symphony orchestra season in OKC. He was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan while Susan is an avid OU fan. When Nebraska and OU competed, they both just cheered for Big Red!

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and 6 brothers and 8 sisters. He is survived by one brother, Gary Jensen and his wife, Connie and one sister-in-law, Janet Jensen. He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Susan Jones Jensen, his children: Karla (Jensen) Taylor and her husband, Mark; Gregory Jensen and his wife, Tammy; Marc Jensen and his wife, Staci; and by his 9 grandchildren: Karissa (Taylor) Parkhurst, Nicholas Jensen, Zachary Jensen, Karenna Taylor, Brianna Hale, Jacob Hale, Toby Jensen, Callista Jensen, and Juniper Jensen, as well as, 2 great grandchildren, Lorabeth Parkhurst and Isaiah Parkhurst.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 10.00 AM at Primrose Funeral Service, 3901 N Flood Ave., Norman, OK, 73069. For those who wish to make a charitable donation in Don’s memory in lieu of flowers, the family suggests Food and Shelter for Friends or The Oklahoma Regional Food Bank.

A live stream of the service will be available at https://www.facebook.com/share/1Am8h8M7iZ/.