MERLYN JENSEN
GOWRIE — Merlyn L. Jensen, 90, passed away Saturday, June 9, 2018 at Pearl Valley Rehab & Nursing in Gowrie. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, at Zion Lutheran Church, Gowrie, with Pastor Jim Davis officiating. Burial will be at Reading Township Cemetery, near Farnhamville, with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the American Legion Peterson Post #431 of Gowrie. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at the Palmer Funeral Home, Gowrie. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Merlyn is survived by his sons, Lynn Jensen of Mauston, WI, and Marvin (Corrine) Jensen of Gowrie; step-children, Gloria (Mac) Cartee of Tomah, WI, Joseph (Jackie) Banta of New Lisbon, WI, Anna Farrand of Cleo Springs, OK, Steve Banta of Toledo, OH, and Michelle Kester of Gowrie. He is also survived by step-sons, Larry (Joyce) Rossmanith of Boyden, Donald Rossmanith of Phoenix, AZ, step-daughter Debra Rossmanith of Fort Dodge; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and sister Eula Petersen of Newell. He was preceded in death by his first wife Wilma (McBride) Jensen; second wife Pauline Rose (Jergenson) Jensen; his parents, Peter and Dora (Thuesen) Jensen; and brothers, Virgil and Darrell Jensen.
Merlyn Lyle Jensen was born May 2, 1928 in Hay Springs, Nebraska. As a youth he moved with his family to Newell, Iowa where he graduated from Newell High School. Merlyn served in the United States Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1952. Merlyn worked as a sign painter for most of his life. In 1960 he was united in marriage to Wilma McBride in Fort Dodge and the couple established their home there. Wilma passed away in 1969. In 1972, he married Pauline Rose Jorgenson at Zion Lutheran Church in Gowrie and the couple made their home in Gowrie. In 1975, Merlyn founded Double M Signs with partner Marvin Freund. Merlyn retired in 1995. Pauline passed away in 1999. Merlyn was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, and American Legion Peterson Post #431 of Gowrie.