Craig Joseph Jensen

He was born In Bakersfield, Ca on October 14, 1945 to Lucille and Maurice Jensen. Craig grew up in Clinton, Iowa. Upon graduation he joined the U.S. Air Force and spent his time in Germany. After his honorable discharge he returned to Clinton where he received his Electronics Engineering degree from Clinton Community College.

Craig was preceded in death by both his parents Lucille and Maury Jensen. Craig is survived by his amazingly beautiful and exceptionally tolerant wife, Constance, his four children, Troy (Danette) and Christina Jensen, Amy (Rob) Stanfill and Lauren Bobis. Three granddaughters, Ryann and Rilee Jensen and Lucy Stanfill.

He was the oldest of eight incredible brothers and sisters: Jay (Patricia) Jensen, Mary Jensen Ortega, Ann (Rick) Trine, Cathy (Eldon) Arensdorf, Bob (Jennifer) Jensen, Barb (Bob) Scott, and Mark (Denise) Jensen. This amazingly close family gave Craig 20 nieces and nephews and they all loved Craig the most, well, in his age group anyway. Also, because Craig had the swimming pool and loved to host all his family over the 4th of July weekend.

In 1987 Craig started his own company Emerald Engineering, and 6 years later Founded Crystal Group Inc. His driving force behind the company was his strive for quality and attention to detail. Crystal’s products and services helped modernize military telecommunications, helped to train our nation’s defense systems and most importantly provided for the families of all the employees ever to work for him, and who will work there in the future. Craig always believed that the company’s most valuable asset, was the employees. His proudest professional accomplishment, putting the company directly in the employees hands, that is a legacy few will match.

If you knew you Craig, you knew him to be direct and opinionated, a trait that often was misunderstood by those he just met. You also knew he had a heart the size of the galaxy. He loved to debate and encouraged everyone to truly think outside of their own boxes. He was quick to apologize if he thought he had caused pain and fully expected people to accept responsibility for their actions – especially his children.

He was a talented woodworker, though only his family benefited from that creative outlet. He was an entrepreneur and inventor, fierce liberal, avid golfer, pilot, and lover of family.

He always kept his promises, did his best to support everyone in his life and always told it to you straight. The straight may have lacked finesse, but you knew the intention was fully from a place of love.

You know Craig believed everyone should have an opportunity to get an education if they wanted so please continue this and honor his memory by donating to the Crystal Group Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers. Seriously… Flowers were a waste, unless he was getting them for his wife, and his wife wants you to give a kid a scholarship, so does the rest of his family…

Send checks to Crystal Group, c/o Crystal Group Scholarship Fund at 855 Metzger Dr, Hiawatha, IA 52233