Lloyd Richard Jensen (Lefty), age 90, passed away April 6, 2015 in Wolf Point, Montana.
Lefty was born in Racine, Wisconsin on February 15, 1926 to Thorvald and Marie (Nielsen) Jensen, first generation immigrants from Denmark. When he was 3 months old the family moved to the Mineral Bench Community north of Poplar. He went to a country school through the eighth grade. In 1940 the family moved to Wolf Point where he attended high school. Lefty was active in football and basketball and in his senior year the basketball team won the Montana State Class B tournament in Great Falls. He graduated in 1944 and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in San Diego and Guam, getting an honorable discharge in 1946.
Lefty married the love of his life Jeanette (Koepke) on April 17, 1949. They celebrated their 66th anniversary in 2015. Jeanette passed away 6 months ago and Lefty longed to be with her again.
Lefty worked for Montana Dakota Utilities for 34 years retiring in 1986. Post retirement he continued to repair refrigeration equipment and electric appliances and enjoyed spending time in his wood working shop and drinking coffee with friends twice a day. Lefty and Jeanette especially enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Lefty loved sports and was very active in baseball, playing for the Wolf Point Amateur Team and the Tule Creek Team and coaching Babe Ruth baseball. His dad and brothers also formed a very successful bowling team. Lefty was an active member and president of the Wolf Point Jaycees, and commander for 2 years of the VFW. He was especially involved with the Elks Club where he was Exalted Ruler for 2 years and Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 1981-82. Lefty was honored as “Elk Of The Year” in 1978 and again in 1999.
Lefty is preceded in death by his wife Jeanette, his parents Thorvald and Marie, his sister Verna Schumacher, and his brothers Ed, Art, Jerry and Donald “Felix”.
Lefty is survived by his children Cheryl Hansen of Wolf Point, Richard Jensen (Bill Sharpton) of New Orleans, LA, and Connie (Wes) Neubauer of Wolf Point. His grandchildren include Ross Neubauer (Lindsey Ellison) and children Kelsie, Kaleb, Nevaeh, and Eli of Wolf Point; Sandra (Neubauer) Idzi (Tomasz) and children Maksim and Mila of Clarksville, Tennessee; Steven Neubauer (Rebekah) and children Kate and Penny of North Bend, Washington; Crystal Hansen of Great Falls, and Kevin Hansen of Wolf Point. Lefty is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday April 15, 2016
Clayton Stevenson Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday April 16, 2016
First Lutheran Church
415 Johnson Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday April 15, 2016
Clayton Stevenson Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday April 16, 2016
First Lutheran Church
415 Johnson Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Sue (Watterson) Johnson says
Ron and I were sorry to hear of Lefty’s passing. May your memories and faith sustain you in the times ahead. He will be greatly missed.
Bonnie Reddig says
We always considered your Dad as a pillar of the community. Our sympathies to your families…Lefty will be missed by all of us. Marlin and I send our love and prayers to your family.
Keeta Clemens says
My sincere condolences to the entire family of Lefty. The community has lost a great man. May your precious and loving memories help ease the pain of your loss.
Bert & Linda Twitchell says
Worked with Lefty at MDU a long time ago. Always enjoyed him, his sense of humor and good nature. We were all better for knowing him. Linda Twitchell
Aaron Brauer says
What an incredible man! My Love and condolences to all of you.
Merle Y. Bushman says
So sorry to hear of Lefty’s passing. He was a great man and a friend to many. MAY the Lord give peace to his family.
Sincere condolences, Alan & Merle Bushman