Darleen Jensen

Darleen Delores Jensen, of Viborg, SD, age 91, died Saturday, January 5, 2019 at the Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home, Viborg. Funeral services will be at 10:30am Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at First Baptist Church, Viborg with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7pm Tuesday evening at the church with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home. Darleen Delores Hofer was born October 14, 1927 to David J. and Kate (Wipf) Hofer, the oldest of five children. She graduated from country school in May and attended Yankton College for a summer course in teaching and was hired to teach in fall at a country school at the age of 17. She taught school for 13 years having as many as 23 students and then adding a kindergarten class in Spring. She loved teaching and making a difference in the lives of her students and is remembered to this day for her kindness and patience from these students. On May 4, 1947, she married Oscar Sayler and to this union Jeraine and Jerome were born. On April 5, 1954, Oscar died in a tractor/auto accident at the age of 29. On May 12, l956, Darleen married Harold H. Jensen and to this union Janelle, JoAnn, and David were born. Dad was a loving, caring father and husband. During this time in mom’s life, they raised their children, enjoying the work on the farm. Mom at one time, taught school, helped with the milk cows, raised chickens and a large garden. She loved canning and freezing food from the garden and her fruit trees. Mom told us Sunday nights were for getting all the assignments ready for the week. Among the schools she taught at were “Hubers” school, “Heirigs” school, and the “Mikkelsen” school. Mom had a giving spirit and if someone in the neighborhood was sick or had a death in the family, mom was there with a meal. In later years they sold their milk cows after they turned 70 and dad continued to farm with David and mom continued with her garden and enjoyed feeding little calves. Dad passed away on March 24, 2010 and in the fall, mom moved to Viborg. There she again continued her garden and canning and baking, not for herself but for family and friends. Nothing ever went to waste, she had a knack for creative leftovers! She loved to see her family and having friends over for coffee. She was always concerned about each one and we all knew her prayers covered us all the time. She truly loved the Lord and served Him, always looking for the best in each person and giving encouragement. Because of failing health, on Nov. 29, mom entered the Nursing Home still enjoying her company but felt bad cause “she couldn’t make any coffee.” She passed away Saturday morning, January 5, with family at her side. Preceding her in death were her brothers Juel and Dellis and wife Alma, sister Joyce and husband Robert Jorgensen, sister-in-law Diana Hofer, and granddaughter Chelsea Jensen. Leaving to mourn her passing her brother Jennis Hofer, sister-in-law Darlene Hofer: her children, Jeraine (Charles) Larsen, Jerome (Monica) Sayler, Janelle (Russ) Ekeren, JoAnn (Lee) Ebbesen, and David Jensen: 14 grandchildren: Darrell, Amie (Scott), Daniel (Michelle), Jeremy (Angie), Jennifer (Arron), Dustin (Kelly), Heath (Cierra), Abby (Jake), Kim (Corey), Chad (Lori), Stephanie (Kyle), Janessa, Matt (Tera), and Trevor: 18 great grandchildren, Mindy (Andy), Taylor (Ryan), Charlotte, Avery, Devion, Cassidy, Addison, Dera, Beckett, Samatha, Lance, Stanley, Brock, Gage, Myla, Evan, Alaina, and Tucker (1 week old): 5 great-great grandchildren, Katie, Andrew, Johnathan, Rilynn, and Maci: and her nieces, nephews and friends were very dear to her. At mom’s family Christmas Party where she was able to leave the nursing home for an evening, she looked around and said, “I know I had 5 kids but I didn’t think it would turn into all this” and she laughed. We will forever miss and love you!