SPC Dennis Gregory Jensen, age 21 of Sioux Falls, SD died August 16, 2011 of injuries suffered while working with bridge materials near Camp Leatherneck in southern Afghanistan. Dennis was a National Guard soldier serving in Afghanistan with the 200th Engineer Company out of Pierre, SD. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, August 25, 2011 at the United Church of Christ (Congregational), Yankton, with Rev. Joe Schulte officiating. Burial will be in the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, SD. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, is in charge of arrangements.
Dennis was born October 9, 1989 in Omaha, NE to Glenn and Christine (Draeger) Jensen. From the age of 2, he grew up in Southeast South Dakota, and graduated from Vermillion High School. Dennis loved hunting with his Dad and friends, cars, music, computers, video games, history, and being a Soldier. Dennis always had a smile on his face, and everyone who has talked to his family since his death has said he always made them smile.
Dennis is survived by his father, Glenn Jensen, Yankton SD; mother, Christine (Draeger Jensen) and William Bestgen, Lead, SD; sister Melissa Jensen, Minneapolis MN; grandparents Bruce (deceased) and Joyce (Skinner) Jensen, Alcester SD; Linda (McNeal Draeger) Millerick, Salinas CA; Larry and Emma (Felice-Cali) Draeger, Pensacola FL, and a very large extended family all over the world.
The family has requested no flowers please, as they would like to plant trees as living memorials.
Memorials may be directed to:
Children's Miracle Network
ATTN: Becky Oliver (605)719-5840
P.O. Box 6000
Rapid City SD 57709
They should include: Their name, address, phone number
In Memory of Dennis Gregory Jensen
March of Dimes
ATTN: Judy Kirkman 605-334-8203
1000 N. West Ave, Suite 230
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
They should include: Their name, address, phone number
In Memory of Dennis Gregory Jensen
Dennis Gregory Jensen Memorial Tree Fund
ATTN: Laurie
2307 South Fulton Street
Sturgis, SD 57785
605-641-1221
laurie.albrecht@gmail.com
Send along their name, address and phone number
View Video Tribute
