Gladwin "Bear" T Jensen

Gladwin T. “Bear” Jensen, age 84 of Park River, ND passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at his home in Park River.

Gladwin Theodore “Bear” Jensen was born on December 23, 1935 in Park River, ND to Theodore “Ted” and Gladys (Levin) Jensen. His mother, Gladys, passed away 11 days after he was born. Bear was raised by his Grandmother Welhelmina Jensen to the age of 7. After her passing, Bear remained on the family farm being raised by his father and uncles. He graduated from Walsh County Agricultural School and was a member of the Class of 1955. At a young age he developed his love of sports and was a varsity letter winner in track, football and basketball. He was well known in the area for his athletic abilities and participated in the Class A State Basketball tournaments in 1953 and 1955. He was named to the All State Class A team and was proud to be an Aggie. After graduating, he did attend Valley City State University and in 1956 he moved to California for a short time. He returned to Park River to work on the family farm and later working for Bennington and Clemenson Farms. Bear had a love for farming and always enjoyed going on country rides and looking at all the fields.

On April 8, 1961 he married Nancy Rux in Grand Forks, ND. Bear and Nancy resided in Park River where they raised their three sons Randy, Kevin and Mark. Bear was involved in the Walsh County Curling Club and Bowl Mor Lanes for many years. Bear was an active member of the Park River Volunteer Fire Department retiring after 10 years of service and then became an honorary member until his death.   Bear was also an avid card player. In their retirement, Bear and Nancy enjoyed spending hours on the golf course together and in 1994 he joined the Hole In One Club at Hillcrest Country Club. Bear also loved to dance whenever a jitterbug or waltz was being played he was sure to be on the dance floor. He was an avid Fighting Sioux, Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings fan. Bear enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Bear is survived by his wife, Nancy, three sons Randy, Kevin (Laurie) all of Park River and Mark of Grand Forks. His niece, Jeannie (Scott) Durkee; nephew, Mike (Jan Osowski) Rux; great nieces Morgan (Charlie) Miller and their children Isla and Beckham and Callie (Jeremy) O’Keefe. His cousin, Wally (Rita) Jensen and their children Kristin, Erik, Anna and their families. His aunts, Donna Nissan and Carol Levin; Half-Brother Don Jensen and Step-Brother Bob (Penny) Haselmo and Levin family cousins.

He was proceeded in death by his mother, Gladys, father, Ted, and step-mother Agnes; his half-brother Dale Jensen, his brother and sister-in-law Larry and Marlene Rux; nephew Dan Rux; and aunts and uncles.

Graveside services will be Saturday, June 6, 2020 at 10:30 A.M. at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hoople, ND. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.

The Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River is in charge of the arrangements.