Ervin "Johnny" Jensen passed away on September 16th, 2012 at his home in Beresford at the age of 91 years, 4 months and 20 days. Ervin was the first of 3 children born to Richard and Mabel Jensen at home on the farm in rural Beresford on April 27th, 1921. He was confirmed at the Rockfield Lutheran Church and started grade school at Newdale country school in 1927 and graduated from Beresford High School in 1939. As a young boy, his love for farming and machinery was kindled as he would walk home from Newdale across the fields and alongside the tractors while they were plowing. He participated in his 1st "tractor pull" on his parent's farm, as he and his brother hooked their fathers 1928 Wallis tractor to a tree and tried to pull it down. Ervin planted and cultivated corn with horses and picked corn by hand at 125 bushels a day. He farmed with his brother and sons and operated a custom corn shelling business with Willard for many farmers in the community. He always commented about the tremendous changes he experienced in his lifetime. Ervin worked for Tornberg dairy in 1941 and Wallace Frieberg in 1943-1944. He was then drafted into the army in February 1945 and received an honorable discharge in December 1946 after spending one year in Japan driving a motorcycle for the military police. He was very proud of his country and his service. Ervin married Joyce Elaine Feay on Sept 9th, 1951. They settled down on the farm and raised 4 children in the rural community of Alsen. During his life, Ervin was active in his community, church, the VFW and American Legion. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Joyce of 61 years, son Craig (Cathy), Beresford, son Kevin (Frances), Omaha, NE, daughter Kim (Ron Foels), Waseca, MN, son Curtis (Karen), Greeley, IA, 16 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, a host of family, friends, and his special Truck Towne Coffee buddies. He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Mabel Jensen, brother Willard Jensen, sister Marjorie Uecker, his daughter in-law Leisa Jensen, and great grandson Dane Myhr. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM, Thursday, September 20 at Dalesburg Lutheran Church, rural Vermillion, SD, with burial at the Beresford Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4PM to 8PM with a prayer service at 7PM at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford.