Derek Allen Jenson, 35, peacefully passed at 3:39 p.m. February 9 ^th , 2022, in Minneapolis, MN after a months-long battle with complications from double pneumonia, which required his transfer from the Sturgis VA to the Minneapolis VA. His family shared loving goodbyes before he took his final breath and leapt into his next great adventure. Adventure was something Derek never shied away from. He lived life to the fullest in his own unapologetic, larger-than-life way, making those around him feel included and loved, providing smiles and laughter that made your cheeks hurt. He is now reunited with his departed older brother Dustin, and it's easy to imagine them looking down on their loved ones from atop a mountain they've hiked, with Derek doing one of his silly faces, which is just so Derek!

Derek was born January 3, 1987, in Shakopee, MN to Nancy and Joel Jenson, joining his four older siblings- Melissa, Joseph, Ami, and Dustin- and followed by his two younger siblings, Jessica and Valerie. In 1990, the Jenson family settled in Huron, SD. As a young lad Derek always marched to his own beat. He pushed imaginary boundaries and often made his own rules. He was never one to turn down a dare or fear danger, he only thrived. In 2001, the family moved to Sturgis, SD, where Derek graduated from Sturgis Brown High School in 2005. Derek was a gifted performer active in drama, choir, debate, and forensics. He was close to his large family and known as the beloved "Uncle Boomer" to his many nieces and nephews. They looked forward to a "homie" day, where they would hang out one on one. They loved his cooking, jokes, taste in music/karaoke, hiking or whatever Black Hills adventure the day had in store. Whether you were his close friend or simply a classmate, he made a lasting impression as a fun, energetic, incredibly perceptive, kind, and caring soul.

Upon graduation, Derek became one of "The Few, the Proud, the Marines" – he served his country for nine years and achieved the rank of Sergeant. His fellow Marines often called him their "ride or die" and saw him as brave, caring, and upbeat, always able to make everyone around him laugh and feel special. First stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA for two years; Derek was then deployed to Camp Fallujah, Iraq from 2008-2009 in the Marine Expeditionary Force, where he was a Linguistics Coordinator and a Noncommissioned Officer in Charge. From 2009-2011, he was in Special Operations Command Europe at Stuttgart, Germany, where he was a Command ExpertTrainer on the Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations-Tracking System and a Command Master Bus Driver Trainer. In Yakima, WA from 2011-2014, Derek was with Bravo Company, 4 ^th Tank Battalion, where he did human resources and ammunition technician work. Derek was Honorably Discharged in the spring of 2014.

Afterwards, Derek returned to the San Diego area, and managed a gas station in Lemon Grove for a year, and then moved to Abingdon, MD to be a special needs childcare provider for a close friend's nephew. In 2016, Derek moved to Williamsport, PA to pursue his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Pennsylvania College of Technology. He also worked as an Aquatics Director at the YMCA and a Swim Team Coach at Williamsport Area Swim Club. Finally, Derek returned home to The Black Hills of South Dakota in 2020 to be near his family again. Most recently, he was employed as a Laboratory Assistant at Monument Health and Sales Associate at Wild Idea Buffalo Co. working for his sister Melissa. Co-workers admired his strong work ethic, positivity, and ability to brighten their day upon bouncing into any room with a hearty, "What's up y'all?" He made many wonderful friends along the way who loved him like a brother, since to know Derek is to take him into your heart.

Derek is survived by his parents Joel and Nancy Jenson. Siblings Melissa (Adam) Kogel, Joseph (Tanisha) Jenson, Ami Jenson, Jessica Jenson and Valerie Prudich. Sister-in-law Becky Jenson and close family friend Karmen (Travis) Roti. Nieces Ivory, Paige, Mersadez, MaKayla, Breanna, Rainee, Amora, Skylee, Khloe, Oriana and Kylie. Nephews Joseph Jr., Kaloeb, Carter, Landon, Zhane, Gaige, Elijah, Isaiah, Kelton and Kadin. He is preceded in death by his brother Dustin Jenson.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Monday, February 21 ^st , 2022, at Fountain Springs Church EAST in Rapid City.