Vernon 'Vern' L. Jensen

Vernon L. ""Vern"" Jensen, age 81, of Litchfield, died on Friday, November 1, 2013, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM on Friday, November 8, 2013, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be held from 5:30 until 8:00 PM on Thursday at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in the Lake Ripley Cemetery with military honors by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. Vernon Lyle Jensen, the son of Christ and Vera (Hawes) Jensen, was born on March 23, 1932 in Grove City, Minnesota. He was confirmed and baptized at Arndahl Lutheran Church. Vern enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Army Corp of Engineers from 1953 to 1955. On July 25, 1953 he was united in marriage to Norma Lambert at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. They lived in Eden Valley, MN and spent many afternoons at their cabin on Eden Lake. He worked for Minnesota Valley Breeders - which became 21st Century Genetics, for over 40 years. After retiring in 1993, Vern and Norma moved to their home on Lake Minne Belle. Vern was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, the American Legion and was active with the Eden Valley-Watkins School Board. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, woodworking with his scroll saw, attending Litchfield Dragons basketball games, feeding and watching birds and spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Norma of Litchfield, MN; children Randy (and Maureen) Jensen of Marquette, MI, Vicky Olson of Alexandria, MN and Bryan (and Cindy) Jensen of Savage, MN; 6 grandchildren Katelynn Jensen, Nolan Jensen, Julie Best, Lisa Olson, Dan Olson and Kristy (and Eric) Custer; great grandson Rick Custer; and brothers Norman Jensen of Spicer and Rolland (and Verna) Jensen of Hutchinson, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law Mark Olson; and sister-in-law Adair Jensen. Memorials may be given to the Zion Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.Previous Events Visitation Thursday, November 7, 2013 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Friday, November 8, 2013 1:30 PM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355