JENSEN, Stanley Eugene

Stanley Eugene Jensen: February 12, 1920 - October 31, 2011, Minden, NE. After a lengthy illness, Stanley Jensen passed away peacefully at his home in Minden at the age of 91. One of five children born to TC and Clara Warp Jensen, Stanley was born in Holdrege, NE, and grew up in Alma, NE, where he attended high school. He earned a degree in agricultural engineering from the University of Nebraska and attended the Reisch School of Auctioneering. During World War II, Stanley served in Bastogne, France, with the Third Army Engineers under General Patton, with further service in Okinawa. After completing his military service, he worked in real estate, auctioneering, and sales. Before retiring, he enjoyed selling nuts and bolts to farmers throughout Nebraska as "Stan the Bolt Man." He was a member of Danish Brotherhood and a lifelong member of the American Legion. In 1946, Stanley married Wilma Jeanne Haugh, and the couple had two children, Sandy Kaye and Stephen. The marriage ended in divorce, and Stanley married Vonnie Smith (Corbitt) in 1960. Brent Houmark was born to that union, joining Sandi Lynn and Greg, Vonnie's children from a previous marriage. In addition to his wife Vonnie, Stanley is survived by daughter Sandi Corbitt-Sears of Pawnee City and sons Stephen Buxton of San Carlos, California, and Brent (Mark) Jensen of Elmwood, NE; grandchildren Ben Housel, Clint Housel and wife Candice, Ian Melroy, Adam Melroy and wife Lana, Sean Buxton, Rachelle Spors, Jessica Spors, Shannon Spors, Kyle Spors, Jillian Jensen, Grant Jensen, and Anders Jensen; great-grandchildren Nancy Housel Anderson, Patricia Housel, Jonathan Housel, Wynter Melroy, and Quinn Melroy; and great-great granddaughter, Melanie Anderson. Stanley also leaves behind his brother Omar Jensen and wife Maxine of Lincoln, brother Vearl Jensen and wife Nina of Hastings, sister-in-law Jan Jensen of Lincoln, and numerous nieces and nephews. Stanley was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, son Greg Corbitt, daughter Sandy Kaye Jensen, sister and brother-in-law Elaine and Gilbert Howland, and twin brothers Ronald and Donald Jensen. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, dancing, reading, and trying different foods. Most of all, Stanley Jensen loved people, especially his family. He never missed an opportunity to strike up a conversation and treated everyone he met as a friend. A memorial service will be held at Fredericksburg Lutheran Church, south of Minden, at 2:00 pm on Friday, November 11, 2011 with Revs. Nancy and Baron Cole officiating. The service will be followed by an Honor Guard at the gravesite. Memorials and condolences can be sent to the family in lieu of flowers.