Donald Niels Jensen

Donald Niels Jensen, 70, of Rexburg, passed away Friday Nov. 2, 2012 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. He was born July 19, 1942 in Menan, Idaho to Kenneth and Esther Jensen. He grew up and attended elementary school in Menan where his parents were respected educators. Don graduated from Rigby High School in 1960. He greatly valued the friendships that he made at Rigby High, many of which lasted throughout his life. Don served in the North German LDS Mission. Among the wonderful people that he met while in Germany was a sister missionary from Salt Lake City named Janet Green. After waiting patiently for her to return home, he asked her out on a date. He and Janet were married June 2, 1966 in the Salt Lake Temple. They made their home in Rexburg where they raised six children, Julie Corr of Salt Lake City, Utah; Brian (Deserie) Jensen of Provo, Utah; Dennis (Meagen) Jensen of Salt Lake City, Utah; Mike Jensen of Rexburg; Eric (Alisha) Jensen of Springfield, Virginia; and Katrina (Antonio) Uriarte of Falls Church, Virginia. He was truly a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather. Don received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Brigham Young University. He was a professor of Sociology at Ricks College and Brigham Young University-Idaho for 37 years. Don loved working with students and teaching a subject that he found interesting, even after all that time. He had high regard for his colleagues throughout the university. He especially enjoyed playing in the “noon” basketball game. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in various callings including bishop of the Rexburg 2nd Ward. He loved serving as an ordinance worker in the Idaho Falls and Rexburg Temples. Don was an avid chess player. He was advisor to the Ricks College Chess Club and active in other clubs around the region. Although he could not swing a racket, he loved watching tennis. He is survived by his brother, Gordon Jensen, his wife Janet Jensen, and his six children. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Carter Jensen, Rachael Jensen, Kirsten Jensen, Shannon Jensen, Stewart Jensen, and Christian Jensen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Esther Jensen, by his sister, LaRie Jensen, and two granddaughters Katya and Ruby Uriarte. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, November 10 at the Rexburg North Stake Center, 314 E 2nd N Rexburg, Idaho, with Bishop Sean Tppitts, conducting. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, November 9 and 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, November 10, also at the Rexburg North Stake Center. Burial will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.