Donald D. Jensen

Donald Dee Jensen went home to the Lord on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025. He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Jean, his beloved parents, Axel and Mamie Jensen, and his adored sister, Norma Jo Bro. Many in our community will miss Don, beyond words, and will say a heartfelt “Thank you” for his service to Anthony and Harper County.

Don was born March 12, 1934, in Lincoln, Kansas. He was the son of farmers and still loved the land he owned in Lincoln County. He was a proud Lincoln High School Leopard, participating in sports, going by the nickname of “Snag”, and keeping in touch with all of his classmates for the rest of his life, helping to organize several high school reunions. “Donnie” was loved by a large group of Lincoln County cousins that were his best friends and who he remained close to throughout his adult life. After high school, Don attended a year at Kansas State University before taking a job as a workman on the Kansas highways for one year. He then enlisted in the army. Don was proud to serve from the Big Red One Army 1st Infantry Division in Korea at the end of the conflict. He did not enjoy the boatride, but was proud to serve his country.

After his service, Don’s Uncle Gene called him about a job in Anthony, working at the local Co-Op. He moved to Anthony and never left. On August 23, 1960, he married the pretty teacher who lived in the apartment next door, LaNeve Jean Floyd. Soon, he drew the attention of the owners of the First National Bank and was employed as a teller, working his way up to Senior Vice President. He retired after 27 years of honored employment, working as an agricultural loan officer, and earning a degree in Banking Administration from the University of Wisconsin. He had many close co-workers whom he loved and admired.

If you knew Don, you’d know that attempting to list the many committees and years of service is an overwhelming task… So here are some highlights. He was a member of the Anthony Kiwanis Club most of his adult life and hardly missed a Friday with his dear friends. You could always find him flipping pancakes or hamburgers, putting out flags, escorting trick or treaters or hiding Easter eggs. Don was also a member of the Anthony Tree Board (and knew every tree in this town, planting quite a few himself), served with the Salvation Army, was a member of the Industrial Development board, and was president of the Chamber of Commerce. Don received many recognitions including citizenship awards from the Anthony Chamber of Commerce, the DAR Chapter and the Harper County Community Foundation as well as awards from the Kiwanians and the United Methodist Men. Along with his friend and partner, Terry Messick, Don was integral in starting the Anthony Community Foundation, now the Harper County Community Foundation. This work also included sharing in the instigation of Country Living, an assisted living facility in Anthony. 

Don was a proud member of the Anthony United Methodist Church, serving in several capacities including layleader, treasurer, charge conference, and other administrative duties. His faith was unerring and constant. He continued to study the Word as long as possible, teaching Sunday School for his friends for years. He believed in true servitude, spending years after retirement with the UM Mission team, and the social aspects of the church, including fun times spent with the McKnights and the Mattinglys. While attributing several “lost years of life” to moving the extra heavy tables at church, the congregation always knew they could count on Don for his service, leadership, care, prayers and acts of love. 

Our dad knew how to play as well. He was an avid fisher and hunter, raising purebred Brittany Spaniels for years. He toiled in his garden and loved to golf… well, liked to golf, and would bowl with friends during the earlier years. His heart was often in the mountains and he cherished times camping with the Floyd family, trips with the Shurleys and Dunns, and family vacations. Several of his hobbies were centered around his beloved cabin at the Anthony Lake. He designed it and built it, with his son, by hand, with only limited help, and enjoyed every moment spent there with his growing and loud family. He and Jean planned for the banister carefully to avoid little heads from getting stuck in future years. They could see a time when the slanted walls would be full of laughter and giggles, and they were not wrong. 

Perhaps he’d say his biggest accomplishments were his children, grands and greats. There was never a ballgame, cross country run, or concert he wasn’t there for. Don and Jean had three children, nine grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren with “not a dud in the bunch”, according to Don. His children are Douglas and Julie Jensen of El Dorado, Beth Ann and Daniel Farmer of Anthony, and Lori and Matthew Wilson of Anthony. The majority of his heart centered around the comings and goings of his grandchildren; Lauren and Bret Walker (Mason, Addison and Ella Mabel), Samantha and Clint Cooper (Miley, Calvin and Daphne), Nichole and Brent Milleville (Noelle and Maddox), Sarah and Taylor Robertson (Brady, Chance and Lily), Emily Holdt (Ryan and Micah), Spencer and Laura Jensen (Lucy, Alice Jean and Ginny), Megan and Derek McCaslin (Carter and McKenzie), Neve and Sam Dorsey, and Cate Jensen. 

A friend wrote, “Truely, as I look at how I want my next phase of life to go, I will think of Don often and ask myself if I’m investing my time and energy in the places that matter.” As these small amounts of words sum up a life so large, take a few of the lessons we have learned from our Dad and Grandpa; 

Go and take care of others. 

Be present.

Serve. 

Pray for those in need. 

Never stop learning. 

Participate in the activities of your community. 

Give. 

Love. 

Friends may view and register from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Prairie Rose in Anthony.  

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 2nd, at the United Methodist Church in Anthony with Pastor Bruce Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery.

Memorials may be made payable to Obadiah’s Pantry and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St. ~ Anthony, KS 67003.