1923
Reuben
2015
Reuben Jensen
December 24, 1923 — July 31, 2015
Reuben Jensen, 91, of Ashby, died Friday, July 31, 2015 at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls.
Reuben Miller Jensen was born on December 24, 1923, on the family farm in Dane Prairie Township, Otter Tail County to George M. and Betsy (Jensen) Jensen. He received his formal education at Rural School District 19, Otter Tail County. As a young man, Reuben worked on the family farm and for other farmers in the neighborhood along with having other various jobs.
On September 7, 1946, Reuben married Grace Arlene Kaasa at the First English Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN. To this union two sons were born, Jerry and Gene.
In 1948, Reuben began working for Gamble-Skogmo Inc. in the Fergus Falls store, selling farm machinery and later as outside salesman in the hardware store. In 1955, Reuben and Bert Schultz formed a partnership and bought the Gambles dealer store in Elbow Lake, MN. Then in 1959, Reuben and Grace purchased the Gambles Store (later Hardware Hank) in Ashby where Reuben would work from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday and many, many, hours after store close for the next forty-three years. Reuben was a dedicated businessman and always did his best to serve his customers.
Reuben was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, serving in various capacities including the church council and several committees. He was also a former member of the Ashby Community Club, Ashby Booster Club, and the Ashby Lions Club.
Reuben enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved spending time with family and friends, travel, playing whist, and just visiting, especially reminiscing. If you wanted to hear a story, especially from the past, just sit down, but be prepared to spend a little time. Reuben had a special passion for music—old time music, including waltzes, polkas, and the like. As a self-taught violin and keyboard player he enjoyed nothing more than getting together with his musical partners Maurice Strom, Norman Christopherson, Jim Berg, Otto Hanson, and others, performing old time music in several communities around the area.
Reuben was a dedicated to his family, friends, faith, business, and community.
Reuben was preceded in death by his parents, George and Betsy Jensen; wife, Grace; son, Jerry (wife Mary); a brother, Lawrence G. Jensen and sister-in-law Thelma; brother-in-law, Lorain Kaasa and sister-in-law Ethel; and brother-in-law, Ivan Kaasa.
Survivors include a son, Gene (Lynn) Jensen of Ashby; grandchildren, Matthew (Megan) Jensen, children Sydney and Katherine Jensen; Michael (Jessica Peterson) Jensen, children Reed Miller and Brynn Jensen, Brett, Taylor and Trevor Peterson; Bill Anderson (Mindy Yanish), children Kaylee, Bradley, Brandon and Ada Anderson; Jennifer (Cliff) Barber, children Aubrie, Natalie and Garrett Barber; Deanna Aamot (Ryan Meissner), children Kalista and Kyra Aamot; sister-in-law, Dorothy Kaasa; and by several nieces and nephews and all who called him friend.
Reuben Miller Jensen was born on December 24, 1923, on the family farm in Dane Prairie Township, Otter Tail County to George M. and Betsy (Jensen) Jensen. He received his formal education at Rural School District 19, Otter Tail County. As a young man, Reuben worked on the family farm and for other farmers in the neighborhood along with having other various jobs.
On September 7, 1946, Reuben married Grace Arlene Kaasa at the First English Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN. To this union two sons were born, Jerry and Gene.
In 1948, Reuben began working for Gamble-Skogmo Inc. in the Fergus Falls store, selling farm machinery and later as outside salesman in the hardware store. In 1955, Reuben and Bert Schultz formed a partnership and bought the Gambles dealer store in Elbow Lake, MN. Then in 1959, Reuben and Grace purchased the Gambles Store (later Hardware Hank) in Ashby where Reuben would work from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday and many, many, hours after store close for the next forty-three years. Reuben was a dedicated businessman and always did his best to serve his customers.
Reuben was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, serving in various capacities including the church council and several committees. He was also a former member of the Ashby Community Club, Ashby Booster Club, and the Ashby Lions Club.
Reuben enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved spending time with family and friends, travel, playing whist, and just visiting, especially reminiscing. If you wanted to hear a story, especially from the past, just sit down, but be prepared to spend a little time. Reuben had a special passion for music—old time music, including waltzes, polkas, and the like. As a self-taught violin and keyboard player he enjoyed nothing more than getting together with his musical partners Maurice Strom, Norman Christopherson, Jim Berg, Otto Hanson, and others, performing old time music in several communities around the area.
Reuben was a dedicated to his family, friends, faith, business, and community.
Reuben was preceded in death by his parents, George and Betsy Jensen; wife, Grace; son, Jerry (wife Mary); a brother, Lawrence G. Jensen and sister-in-law Thelma; brother-in-law, Lorain Kaasa and sister-in-law Ethel; and brother-in-law, Ivan Kaasa.
Survivors include a son, Gene (Lynn) Jensen of Ashby; grandchildren, Matthew (Megan) Jensen, children Sydney and Katherine Jensen; Michael (Jessica Peterson) Jensen, children Reed Miller and Brynn Jensen, Brett, Taylor and Trevor Peterson; Bill Anderson (Mindy Yanish), children Kaylee, Bradley, Brandon and Ada Anderson; Jennifer (Cliff) Barber, children Aubrie, Natalie and Garrett Barber; Deanna Aamot (Ryan Meissner), children Kalista and Kyra Aamot; sister-in-law, Dorothy Kaasa; and by several nieces and nephews and all who called him friend.
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