Merlin Roy Jensen
September 4, 1936 — February 18, 2019
Merlin Roy Jensen, age 82, of Grand Island, Nebraska, formerly of Avoca, Iowa passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at the VA Alzheimer’s Nursing Care in Grand Island, where he spent his last few years.
Merlin was born on September 4, 1936 to Lyle and Roma (Prior) Jensen of Avoca. He was the oldest of six children. He attended Southside school and graduated with the class of 1956. Mert and his brother, Bruce joined the Navy and were stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.
Mert married Jacquelynn West of Oakland and they raised their six children in Avoca. Mert worked for Sinclair Oil, United Telephone, was an Avoca school bus driver, did parts delivery for Avoca Implement and worked for Farmall-Land USA Museum. Mert loved road trips and cooking for family and friends of the Avoca Firemen and American Legion.
Mert was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Johnny and Bruce. Surviving relatives are his wife Jackie Jensen of Avoca, Iowa; children Serena (Monte) Riesgaard of Avoca, Iowa; Chris (Brenda) Jensen of Bremerton, Washington; Byran (Kathy) Jensen of Las Vegas, Nevada; Barry (Rose) Jensen of Las Vegas, Nevada; Rodney Jensen of Bremerton, Washington; Allison (Ron Gustafson) Brotherson of Norwalk, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters Sue Mardesen of Elk Horn, Iowa; Colleen (Gary) Schnepel of Omaha, Nebraska; Arlene (Harold) Reid of Carlisle, Iowa; sister-in-law Linda Jensen of Council Bluffs, Iowa; many nieces and nephews.
Merlin was born on September 4, 1936 to Lyle and Roma (Prior) Jensen of Avoca. He was the oldest of six children. He attended Southside school and graduated with the class of 1956. Mert and his brother, Bruce joined the Navy and were stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.
Mert married Jacquelynn West of Oakland and they raised their six children in Avoca. Mert worked for Sinclair Oil, United Telephone, was an Avoca school bus driver, did parts delivery for Avoca Implement and worked for Farmall-Land USA Museum. Mert loved road trips and cooking for family and friends of the Avoca Firemen and American Legion.
Mert was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Johnny and Bruce. Surviving relatives are his wife Jackie Jensen of Avoca, Iowa; children Serena (Monte) Riesgaard of Avoca, Iowa; Chris (Brenda) Jensen of Bremerton, Washington; Byran (Kathy) Jensen of Las Vegas, Nevada; Barry (Rose) Jensen of Las Vegas, Nevada; Rodney Jensen of Bremerton, Washington; Allison (Ron Gustafson) Brotherson of Norwalk, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters Sue Mardesen of Elk Horn, Iowa; Colleen (Gary) Schnepel of Omaha, Nebraska; Arlene (Harold) Reid of Carlisle, Iowa; sister-in-law Linda Jensen of Council Bluffs, Iowa; many nieces and nephews.
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