Alvin F. Jensen, of Oklee, MN, died peacefully on Thursday, February 09, 2017 at Ecumen Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, MN, at the age of 89.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 18, 2017 Zion Lutheran Church, Oklee, MN, with Reverend Margaret Jacobus and Pastor Troy Bates co-officiating.  Interment will follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service on Friday, February 17, 2017 at Johnson Funeral Service in Oklee, MN.

Alvin Frederik Jensen was born July 27, 1927 at Oklee, MN the son of Arthur F. and Olianna (Garnes) Jensen.  He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Oklee.  He attended school in Oklee.

Alvin enlisted in the Merchant Marines in 1945 and began serving his country at the end of World War II, and continued his service for 8 years. During that time he attended Marine Engineering college  for 2 years where he received his Marine Engineering License. He worked for 6 years with that license in New York, Baltimore, and sailing to Europe and South America, making many passages through the Panama Canal.

Alvin returned home to Oklee where he and Bonnie Jean Nelson were united in marriage on July 19, 1953.  Together they raised their 9 children and started Jensen Mink Ranch. Alvin sold mink at the Hudson Bay Company until 1985 when the fur industry nearly collapsed.  During the first war in Iraq Alvin became recertified as an engineering officer and sailed for the US Navy, sailing to the Persian Gulf for 2 years. Afterwards he continued to serve as an engineering officer for 5 more years for a cruise line based in Hawaii. When Alvin retired from sailing he returned to Oklee where he drove school bus for the school district for 12 years.  During that time he also worked on the pipeline driving bus for different companies until his retirement.

Alvin was a member of the Masons/Shriners, served as a Red Lake County Commissioner for 12 years and served as Mayor of Oklee for 8 years. Alvin also raised beef cattle, sheep, and fox.  Throughout his life, Alvin enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends.

Alvin is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bonnie Jean Jensen, Oklee, MN; children: Ludeen (Guy) Rice, Fond du Lac, WI, Joani (Arlen) Marquis, Trail, MN, Connie (Bruce) Kriel, Chandler, AZ, Pastors Donna (Philip) Larson, Princeton, MN, Alan Jensen, Oklee, MN, Pastor Barry (Adrianne) Jensen, missionaries to Ukraine, Diane (Michael) Johnson, Cave Creek, AZ and Eric (Brandon) Jensen, Texas; grandchildren, Gavin Rice (Danielle Ford, special friend), Andrea (Dan) Dobogai, Collin (Samantha) Rice, Aleisha Rice, Tera (Stuart) Carter, Garett (Christina) Marquis, Averre (Erica) Marquis, Shandrae (Nick) Kazmierczak, Britanne (Justin) Edevold, Prestan Marquis, Nathan (Elizabeth) Kriel, Luke Kriel (Thao Duong, special friend), Mackenzie (Andrew) Gaither, Lindsay (Ben) Cournia, Eleeya (Jeremy) Palmer, Meredith (AJ) Kind, Anna, Aliena, and Sophie Jensen, Benjamin, Raymond, and Elliot Jensen, Alec and Lauren Johnson; great-grandchildren, Bennett and Brynlee Rice, Ridley and Griffin Carter, Andrew, Caleb, and Owen Marquis, Peyton and Sloane Marquis, Damian and Mason Kazmierczak, Jackson Edevold, Reese and Lilly Kriel, Cameron and Ryan Gaither, Lucy and Lincoln Cournia, and Silas Palmer; sister, Alice Bergeron, Owatonna, MN; nieces, Karen (Mike) Throckmorton, Judy (Ron) Lindberg, Mary (Dean) Otto, Cheri Jensen, and Wendy Jensen Ryan; and many other relatives and friends.

Alvin is preceded in death by his 17 year-old daughter, Sharon in 1983; infant granddaughter, Lilliann Jensen in 2003; parents; brothers, Willard and Raymond Jensen; sisters-in-law, Catherine Jensen Jorgenson and Lois Jensen Eck; brother-in-law, Howard Bergeron.