Jimmy Dale Jensen, 68, made the journey to be with Jesus, his Savior, on October 21, 2020, at Rolling Hills HealthCare in Belle Fourche.
Jim was born June 24, 1952, in Belle Fourche, SD, to Harold and Mary (Shultz) Jensen. Jim spent his childhood and educational years in Newell, graduating in 1970. He then worked for a year in Rapid City as a motorcycle mechanic for Rice Honda.
The tutelage of neighbor, friend and carpenter, Louis Tobiska, gave Jim construction and homebuilding techniques, skills that Jim sought to complete with quality and excellence. These years influenced Jim's love of motorcycle riding, hunting, snowmobiling, and the opportunity to earn a license to fly / pilot single engine airplanes from another neighbor-friend-instructor, Jerry Goeringer.
The 70's were the years of being involved in the Newell Volunteer Fire Department, beginning a family- Jim met and married, Karen Friedel in 1975 - being a charter member of the Butte County Ambulance department with the Newell crew and accepting Jesus's call to follow Him -- along with attending church in Nisland.
Jim lived and worked in Rapid City from 1978 through 1987, initially running a construction crew for his uncle, Ken Brenneise and later overseeing light commercial and custom homebuilding under his own Jensen Construction company. He was a member of the Black Hill Homebuilders, the Civil Air patrol and was involved with South Canyon Baptist church. The idyllic farm life beckoned Jim and Karen to buy a farm in 1988, located in the Nisland area of Arpan. Jim delved into farming and animal husbandry with the same gusto for building, not only learning to irrigate but even, Artificially Inseminate cattle. Jim enjoyed working and learning from the neighbors, actively participating and serving in the Nisland church and deepening his relationship with his Heavenly Father and embracing God's plan for his life. Wherever Jim lived, he enjoyed engaging with people and developing friendships with a great sense of humor, a quick wit and love to laugh.
The year 2000 brought the sale of the farm, reentering the construction world, Homette' living with still a Nisland address but next to the Keiry homes. Shortly after this time, Jim was given the diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease (PD)and so began the study and life changes that a degenerative condition brings to the family. Jim remained building homes as long as he was physically able and enjoyed church, family and now, grand kids.
In 2010, for ease of later PD years, Jim and Karen moved to town, choosing to transition into Newell. Over the next ten years, doctor and physical therapy appointments increased, including a few hospital stays. A fall one morning resulted in a broken hip, eventually beginning the new season for Jim to call Belle Fourche "home" at the Rolling Hills Health Care Center where staffs' days were brightened if they could get Jim to smile or crack a quick-liner with a twinkle in his eyes. His new community was a comfort and help to him.
Jim is survived and remembered by his dedicated wife, Karen; lovingly proud of his children; daughters, Chenoa (Kris) Jensen, and Dyani (Jim) Waldrop both of Rapid City, SD; son, Elliot (Trina) Jensen Vale, SD; 13 grandchildren, and 3 ½ (he saw the most recent sonogram) great grandchildren; siblings, Kathy (Richard) Ogle Belle Fourche, SD, Jerry Ann Hagen Las Vegas, NV, Larry (Roxy) Jensen Mitchell, SD, and Pat Jensen Lemmon, SD; along with a host of nephews, nieces and extended family members.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Vivian Wright; brothers, Robert Johnson and Ralph Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be blessings for Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child, a ministry that Jim faithfully partnered with annually and the purchase of an ice machine for staff / residents at Rolling Hills HealthCare Center.
A Celebration of Life service will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Nisland Independent Community Church in hopes of memories being freely shared and Jim's life reflecting Jesus' love and mercy.