Arden Jensen, late of Burbank, SD, passed away on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at the Christian Community Home in Hudson, Wisconsin with his daughters, Debra and Dawn, at his side. He was 94 years of age.

Arden was born at home on September 30, 1921 on the family farm near Burbank. He attended Rockfield Country School where he enlisted in the U.S. Navy before his graduation. In 2000 he was presented an honorary high school diploma, along with 21 other members of the Graduating Class of Beresford High School, 1945, all of whom had left school early to enlist in our armed forces during World War II.

He entered the Navy on August 22, 1942 with initial training was at naval wartime facilities in San Diego, Ca. His individual training in aviation maintenance took place in posts and stations across the US. After training he was transferred to the Pacific Theater where he participated in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands operations, eventually attaining the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate 1st Class. He was discharged on December 23, 1945 at Minneapolis, MN.

Arden met Neoma Milbrodt in Sioux City, IA. They were married on September 22, 1951, in Sioux City and settled on the Jensen farm in Burbank, SD. Arden and Neoma toiled together, husband and wife, working the land and operating a dairy farm while raising their family, a variety of farm animals, and family pets. Neoma, blessed wife and mother, passed away in 2010; they were married for 59 years.

Arden thoroughly enjoyed life as a farmer, husband, and father. His hobbies were flying, hunting, fishing, and bowling. He was a baptized and confirmed member of the Rockfield Lutheran Church. After that church closed, he became a member of Dalesburg Lutheran Church in Vermillion, SD. Arden and Neoma were always active in the community and within their church: he served as president of the Rockfield Cemetery Assn for many years; in the 50s he was a member of the Civil Air Patrol in Vermillion, SD, flying a Piper PA20; he also served on the Clay County Water Board from 1983 to 1986.

He was very proud to have been a veteran and was a dedicated member of the Alsen American Legion Post 44 for 57 years; a lifetime member of the VFW in Vermillion; and belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles for many years. In the spring of 2009, Arden was very fortunate and privileged to be selected for the first Honor Flight, where Veterans of South Dakota were flown to Washington D. C. and honored for their service and sacrifices during WW II.

Thankful to have shared his life are his family: children Debra (Mark) Elliott of Eden Prairie, MN; and Dawn (John) Fisher of Hudson, WI; his five grandchildren: Lisa Elliott of Richfield, MN and Kristen (Louis) Madryga of Deerwood, MN; Patrick (Becky) Fisher of Woodbury, MN; Joshua Fisher of Salt Lake City, UT; Isaac (Tanya) Fisher of Hudson, WI and six great grandchildren, John, Payton, Dakota, Jacob, Margo, and Joshua Jr.

Preceding him in death were: wife, Neoma; parents, George and Jessie; brothers, Leo and Gail; and sister, Norma Sorenson. He is survived by sister-in-law. Phyllis Jones of Council Bluffs, Iowa and brother-in law and sister-in-law, Dale and Sophie Milbrodt of Sioux City, Iowa. He has many nieces and nephews also living in South Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana & Maryland.

Arden was a good man; kind-hearted and soft-spoken, he had a wry sense of humor and made friends wherever he went.  He instilled self-confidence and strength in his family and provided continuous inspiration in their lives. "We cherish him; he will forever remain one of our heart's most precious memories."

The family wishes to extend sincere gratitude to the staff of Christian Community Home of Hudson, for the years of love and care they bestowed on our father.

Arden's wish is that memorials be sent to the Rockfield Cemetery Association or Dalesburg Lutheran Church.

Services will be held at 2PM Tuesday, July 5th at Dalesburg Lutheran Church, Vermillion,SD. Visitation will be from 12-2PM Tuesday at the church.