Merlin Jensen

Merlin Dean Jensen, one of eleven children of Lawrence Alfred Jensen, Sr. and Dorothea Margaret (Madsen) Jensen, was born May 29, 1937 in Audubon County, Iowa.
Merlin attended Audubon schools and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1955 to 1958. While stationed in California, Merlin and Olena Schmitt were married at Las Vegas, NV on August 31, 1957. Their first son, Danny, was born while they lived in California. Following Merlin's military service, they returned to Audubon and their marriage was blessed with son Randy and daughters Lisa, Lana, and Jill. The family moved to Carson and in 1966 to Treynor, as Merlin continued his 35-year career as an over-the-road truck driver. Merlin was a member of Zion Congregational Church.
Merlin and Olena had been married for 24 years when Olena died on June 1, 1982. Merlin continued to live in Treynor until his marriage to Janet Hudson on May 12, 1984. They made their home in Omaha until moving to Treynor in 1993. Merlin retired in 1996. He and Janet enjoyed wintering in Weslaco, TX and they moved to Bella Vista, AR in 2002. In Bella Vista, Merlin was a member of the "Jelly Bellies" Golf Group and the "Metfield Neighbors" Breakfast Club.
Merlin died on Friday, July 23, 2004 at the Northwest Medical Center of Benton County, Bentonville, Arkansas. He had attained the age of 67 years, 1 month, and 24 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Olena; sisters Lillian Jensen, Inez Andersen, Genevieve Andersen, and brothers Eldon Jensen, Vern Jensen, Lawrence Jensen, Jr., and Charles Jensen.
Merlin is survived by his wife of 20 years, Janet Jensen of Bella Vista, Arkansas; sons Danny Jensen and his wife Lorie of Treynor, Iowa and Randy Jensen and his wife Gretchen of Honey Creek, Iowa; daughters Lisa Flowers and her husband Mike of Neola, Iowa, Lana Jensen of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Jill Patrick and her husband Adam of Carson, Iowa; step-daughter Trisha Clifton and her husband Trent of Lakewood, Colorado; step-son Steven Hudson of Omaha, Nebraska; brothers Darrell Jensen and his wife Elaine of Treynor, Iowa and Duane Jensen of Nebraska; sister Dorothy Juhl of Las Vegas, Nevada; 23 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; other relatives and friends.