Laurie Ann Jensen

Laurie Ann Jensen, age 60, of Park River, North Dakota, passed away on March 29, 2026 at First Care Health Center in Park River after a short battle with cancer.

Laurie was born on April 11, 1965, to Merlin and Ann (Midtmoen) Linstad at St. Ansgar’s Hospital in Park River. She was baptized and confirmed at Quale Lutheran Church, rural Fordville. Laurie graduated from Fordville High School in 1983. During her youth she was active in church, school activities and 4-H. She graduated from NDSU Bottineau in 1984 with an Associate’s Degree in Horticulture with an emphasis in Floral Design. Laurie married Kevin Jensen on July 30, 1994 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, in Park River.

After graduating she owned and operated Laurie’s Floral in downtown Park River. On March 31, 1997 she made a career changed and joined the team at Heartland Eye Care where she was employed until the time of her death. She became a Certified ParaOptometric (CPO) with the American Optometric Association, and later advanced to Certified ParaOptometric Assistant (CPOA), which required further study and training. For several years, she served as the North Dakota State Vision Source Representative Facilitator, educating and assisting multiple Vision Source offices across the state in implementing key Vision Source programs.

Laurie was a member of the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church where she had served on Church Council. She was a member of the Lankin American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 157. Laurie was a past member of the Park River Curling Club and Park River Young Women of Today until the chapter closed. Laurie was also involved in the North Dakota State Potato Queen Pageant for several years as the Co-Director. Her most recent passion was the Lyric Theater in Park River where she was currently serving as the President on the Board of Directors.

Laurie will be remembered for her laugh, calmness, easy going nature and her love of adventures. She had a knack for baking. Her banana bread, zucchini brownies, frosted sugar cookies, popcorn bars and her Easter coconut cake were enjoyed by all.

Laurie is survived by her husband, Kevin, Park River; parents, Merlin and Ann Linstad, Park River; sister Sheila (Lee) Krueger, Casselton, ND; brother, Bernie (Michelle) Linstad, Michigan, ND; nieces, Kendra Krueger, Sioux Falls, SD, Kaleen (Erick) Quintero, Fargo, ND, Abbey (Ben) Rodelius, Thief River Falls, MN; nephew, Ryan (Elyse Gregoire) Linstad, Michigan, ND and great niece, Betty Quintero, Fargo. Uncle, Clayton Linstad, Park River; Aunts: Sara (Kevin) Spicer, East Grand Forks, MN, Corrine Kouba, Minot, ND, Marilyn Linstad, Grafton, ND and Judy Linstad, Grand Forks, ND. Her mother-In-law, Nancy Jensen, Park River and brother-in-law, Mark Jensen, Grand Forks, ND and Golden Retriever, Cora. Special friend, Kelly (Swartz) Fernandez and her husband Alex and children Sam and Nora, Tampa, FL. She is also survived by numerous cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents, father-in-law, Gladwin (Bear) Jensen, brother-in-law, Randy Jensen, aunts, uncles and cousins along with her three Golden Retrievers, Samantha, Lena and Lilly.

Funeral services will be Friday, April 24, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Our Saviour’s Lutheran church of Park River. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may also call at the church on Friday for one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River, ND.

The service will be live streamed on the funeral home website.

An online guestbook is available at www.tollefsonfuneralhome.com