Donald "Don N" Jenson passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of December 12, 2019 at the Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen, MN, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley, after a long battle with prostate cancer.

Don was born on June 5, 1933 to Nile and Ida (Jensen) Jenson on the family farm east of Borup, MN.  He was the sixth of eleven children.  At the age of four, his family moved to a farm west of Twin Valley, then at the age of nine, they moved to a farm east of Twin Valley.  Four short years later, when Don was only 15, he and his brother Lee took off for the "Great West" to be cowboys, but soon found out to be a good cowboy it takes a lot of skill and talent.  He and Lee worked on ranches in Idaho, Wyoming and ended up in Long Beach, California washing dishes as well as other labor to get by.  Then Lee was called up for the draft, at which time, Don was back and forth between Minnesota and Idaho for a few years.  He registered for the draft in 1954 and spent the next three years in the army mastering the art of truck driving, operating M50 military transport trucks on the narrow winding roads of France.  After his honorable discharge in 1958, Don got a job driving truck for Gunkelman and Johnson for six years and then Schuler Grain.  This is where he met Elaine Duin and they were united in marriage on June 13, 1959.  They were blessed with a daughter, Cindy, in 1960 and their son, Dave, in 1963.

Now having a family and wanting to spend more time closer to home, Don took a job hauling heavy construction equipment for Abbott, Arne and Schwindt Inc. in Moorhead, MN.  He then purchased his first farm southeast of Twin Valley and moved his family closer to his parent's farm, eventually purchasing that farm and helping take care of them in their later years.  Don soon realized that in having a small farm and a family of four you must have some more income, so Don bought a couple of school buses that he operated for 20 years.  During this time, he also bought, trained and sold horses.  Don was instrumental in getting the TV Rodeo off the ground, which ran from 1980 to 1985.  He also raised beef cattle and boarded horses for many years.  Don played a very important role in the Twin Valley Riders Club.  He and his good friend, Donald E Jensen, furnished cattle for many Team Pennings for the Quarter Horse Association, and other team penning events in northern Minnesota.  He also proudly built a penning arena on his farm and hosted many penning and ranch rodeo events there.  The highlight of his life was when he and his granddaughter, Andrea, qualified for the World Finals for Team Penning in Oklahoma City, OK in 1997.

In his later years, Don and Elaine moved into Twin Valley.  He could be seen driving around town in his golf cart or even in a few parades with his granddaughters, Michaela or Andrea and great grandson Hudson. He loved to give Hudson golf cart rides around town.  He liked spending time with family and friends and especially enjoyed the time he spent with his granddaughters, passing onto them all he knew about horses.  He was, by far, their biggest fan (and critic) at the many horse shows and competitions they attended together.  In his younger days, Don enjoyed the sport of boxing, first as a participant and then watching on television.  Don was a huge PBR fan and also a NDSU Bison and Minnesota Vikings fan.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elaine Ruby Jenson of Twin Valley; daughter, Cindy (Blaid) Halvorson and his son, Dave (Jodi) Jenson, all of Twin Valley; four grandchildren: Andrea (Nathan) Hoff, Bryan (Kayleigh) Bjorgan, Michaela (Addison Knutson) Jenson, Nathan Jenson; and four great grandchildren: Hudson & Pierson Hoff, Scarlett & Erickson Bjorgan; along with 1 step great grandchild, Bryant Crocker;  his brother, Dennis (Junell) Jenson; and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by both parents, six brothers and three sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, December 27, 2019, at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, Twin Valley. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 26, 2019, at Anderson Family Funeral Home, Twin Valley, from 5-7 pm with a prayer service starting at 6:30 pm. Burial with military honors will take place in Twin Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  To honor a true cowboy, western attire is appreciated and encouraged by all those attending the services.