Leland D. Jenson, age 76, of Twin Valley, MN died Thursday, April 10th, 2008 in his home under the loving care of his family and First Care Hospice.

Leland Duane Jenson was born December 29th, 1931 in Rockwell Township, MN to Nile and Ida (Jensen) Jenson. Lee attended the Four Corners Country School near Fossum. Upon completing the 8th grade, Lee started working at area farms as well as helping out at home. At the young age of 16, Lee traveled west to Idaho and later California, working on various farms and ranches. At age 18, Lee returned home to Minnesota to register for the armed services. He was drafted into the Army in July of 1952. Lee fought for his country during the Korean War, was injured in the line of duty and was honorably discharged in April of 1954.

On April 23rd, 1955 Leland was united in marriage to Rosalie Kay Pinske at Moorhead, MN where they remained for the first few years of their married life. In 1963 they moved their young family back to the Twin Valley area. Lee was employed at the Fargo Tank Co. as a welder from 1955 to 1970 at which point he started working for Moorhead Construction where he remained employed until his retirement in 1997. After retirement, from 1998 to 2001, he worked at the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, MN.
Throughout Leland's career, he and Rosie also worked at home on their dairy farm. In 1974 they sold their farm and purchased The Valley Hotel in Twin Valley. In 1981 they sold their business and returned to the country.

Lee was a member of the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, the Twin Valley Nesseth-Lien Post #431 American Legion, and the Twin Valley Riders Club. Lee was instrumental in helping organize the Twin Valley Rodeo from 1981 to 1985.

Lee was a talented man who had a passion for working with horses, playing guitar, and working and creating through his excellent welding skills. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting, sharing jokes and stories with people, and especially spending time with his family and friends. Lee will always be remembered for his sense of humor, infectious laugh and the sparkle in his eye. He was a kind and patient man with a heart of gold and a generous and giving spirit. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Lee is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Rosalie, of Twin Valley, MN: a daughter, Julie (Pete) Rainville, of Fertile, MN; sons, Daniel (Valerie Fettig) of Sparta, TN, Duane (Jill) Jenson of Brooklyn Park, MN, Jeffrey (Elaine) of Twin Valley, MN; Brothers, Vernon Jenson of Moorhead, MN, Delano (Elaine) Jenson of Detroit Lakes, MN, Don (Elaine) Jenson of Twin Valley, MN, Dennis (Junnell) Jenson of Lake Park, MN; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and three sisters.

Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 10:00 AM at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley. Officiating was Pastor Chad Peterson. Carol Johnson serviced as organist with Rhoda Habedank serving as vocalist. Pallbearers were Kristopher Chilton, Jeremy Jenson, Mikeal Jenson, David Jenson, Jody Jenson and Reed Olson. Honorary pallbearers were Tom Dunbar, Robert Pinske, Don Dunbar, Doug Jenson, Marty Jenson, Randy Jenson and Jerome Jenson. Military honors were provided by the Twin Valley Nesseth-Lien Post # 431 of the American Legion.

Burial was in the Twin Valley Memorial Garden Cemetery, Twin Valley, Minnesota.