Darrel D. Jensen

Darrel D. Jensen felt privileged to have shared this planet with all of you from October 21, 1936, his first day of life until December 12, 2022, when he entered his eternal rest.

He was the seventh of nine children born to Peter and Louise (Eppler) Jensen on the Eppler homestead in Spring Prairie Township, Clay County, Minnesota. Each of his siblings had nicknames, they called him “Sonny.”

He spent his early years on the family farm with his brothers and twin sisters. He loved telling stories about his childhood on the farm – from the time a lightning ball bounced through the bedroom he shared with his siblings to the story of raising a pet owl, Hootie.

Darrel attended District 97, a one room rural school, through 8th grade and then attended high school at Glyndon Dist #145 through 12th grade.  After graduation in 1955, he went to work for Kost Bros., Inc.in the aggregate production business.

In October of 1959, he was drafted into the Army and spent more than two years on active duty.  He served in Germany where he had the opportunity to visit some European countries and visit relatives in Denmark. He made lifelong friends during his Army service. Upon discharge from the Military Service, Darel returned to work for Kost Bros.

On October 26, 1963, Darrel married his friend and sweetheart, Muriel Jean (Jeannie) Cope. He was handy; they built their own home in rural Glyndon from a kit. On March 13, 1971, They welcomed their son Travis into their family.  They enjoyed camping, travel, biking and Scouting,

After living in rural Glyndon for 25 years they moved to Moorhead in 1996.

Darrel retired from Aggregate Industries (formerly Kost Bros, Inc.) after 46 years in the aggregate industry that he loved.  After retirement he had more time for fishing, biking, gardening, and reading. He also developed a love of quilting, making blankets and bears for many loved ones.He also loved to play cards and was still winning at the card game golf until the end.

He especially loved being a Papa to his two grandsons, Davis and Reid. In their younger years, Papa had infinite patience to play with Hotwheels, explore with flashlights and play hide and seek. As they grew, he taught them to be expert lefse grillers and was an adoring audience when they performed for him.

He was a devoted husband, father, papa and uncle. Goodness, we are going to miss him.

Darrel is preceded in death by his brothers, Lester, Harvey, Vernon, Clifford, Harlen and his parents Peter and Louise.

He is survived by his wife Muriel Jean, (of 59 years) son Travis (Kirsten), Grandsons Davis and Reid, brother Dennis (Arlene), Fargo, twin sisters Lois and Loris, Glyndon, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 22, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m., at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Memorial Service will be Friday, December 23, at 1:00 p.m., at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead, MN.

Interment will be at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Columbarium.