Funeral service for Rolland C. Jensen, 94, of Sisseton, SD, will be held in Monday, August 13, 2012 at 10:00 AM at United Methodist Presbyterian Church, Browns Valley, MN with the Rev. Anna Williamson officiating. Organist will be Janet LeClair with special music by Layne and Betsy Moeller. Pallbearers will be grandsons Kevin Valnes, Cully Valnes, Tony Valnes, Cris Sizer, Cory Jensen, Robb Jensen and Michael Dempsey. Honorary pallbearers are granddaughters Kim Valnes and Stacey Uglow and all great and great- great grandchildren. Interment will be in the Valley View Cemetery, Browns Valley, MN with Military Rites by the Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post #50 and Fort Sisseton VFW Post #3342. There will be visitation on Sunday, August 12, 2012 from 4-7 PM at Cahill Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Monday.
Rolland Jensen was born July 12, 1918 to Eugene Roy and Charlotte (Smith) Jensen at rural Wilmot, SD. He was raised in Browns Valley, MN and attended school there through seventh grade. As a child he worked many jobs—just to make a dime, as he would say. After quitting school, he started working for a local farmer. At age 17 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps.
On December 14, 1940, he married Kathryn Nigg at Wilmot. They lived in Browns Valley where their son, Carroll (Pete) was born. In 1942 they moved to Seattle where Marsha and Diane were born.
He was drafted in 1943 and served in Italy during WWII with the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Troop. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Service Ribbon, one Overseas Bar and the ASR Score Lapel Button. He had Lifetime Memberships in the VFW and the Legion. Upon his return, they lived in Easter Township and farmed. Glenda was born in 1950. Six weeks later Diane died of polio at the age of seven.
Rolland had a variety of jobs and was employed by the City of Sisseton for many years. During this time, he also repaired and built bikes for about 40 years. This provided him a wonderful relationship with children of the area—he loved it.
His grandchildren were the light of his life, and he is the same to them. He spoke often of the wonderful woman his wife was. Dancing was their favorite pastime. He enjoyed being around people, visiting, helping others, gardening, fishing, boxing and baseball.
Rolland passed away on August 8, 2012 at the Browns Valley Health Center. He is survived by three children, Carroll (Pete) and Charlotte Jensen of Parker, SD; Marsha and Gary Valnes of Sisseton, SD and Glenda Dempsey of Sisseton, SD; ten grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and 4.5 great-great grandchildren. Rolland was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter Diane; brothers, Leland and Dale and sister, Mavis Miklebost.