Larry Lee Jensen

Larry Lee Jensen, age 75, died Saturday, April 20, 2019 at his home in Mesquite, NV. He was born on June 11, 1943 in Rolfe, IA to James Frokjer and Mildred Irene (Baker) Jensen. In 1963, he married Kathryn Siddall.  They had one son and later divorced. On September 28, 1972 he married Jeanette Norma Schlecht in Bangkok, Thailand.

After graduating from high school in Laurens, Iowa in 1961, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Biology and earning a minor in Chemistry, from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN.  He then earned Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Plant Pathology from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND.   He also served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968 to 1975, including a year of service in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.

He then moved to the Laurens, IA area with his family, where he owned and managed Jensen Spraying, a vegetation control company.  Jensen Spraying was sold to Habco Int'l, Inc. in 1989. Larry was the Chief Operating Officer and Sales Manager and co-owner of Habco Int'l, Inc. until the business was sold in 1997.

Larry and Jan moved to Mesquite, NV in 1996 and Larry retired for the first time in 1997.  Larry then "unretired" in 1998 and began working for Helena Chemical Company, where he was a Specialty Division Operations Manager until his final retirement in 2008.  

His hobbies included Ham Radio, golfing, hunting and fishing. He was also an early and life-long Apple Computer fan.  Always intellectually curious, he loved reading and learning about science and history and "researching" online. Larry had a strong faith in God, and was a founding member of the Mesquite United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Jan of Mesquite, NV; son Tom (Maren) Jensen of St. Louis Park, MN; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren, as well as two brothers; Frank C. Hopp, Jr. and Fredrick N. Hopp. He was preceded in death by one son, Richard Jensen; one brother, Lance D. Jensen; his parents; and Fred and Ruby Eaton, who encouraged and guided Larry throughout his life.

A service and interment are being planned for this summer in Fonda, IA. Friends and family are invited to sign our online guest book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.

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