There are condolences waiting approval on Darrell's Tribute wall
Celebrating the life of Darrell Kirk Jensen
Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of
Darrell.
This memorial page is dedicated for family, friends and future generations to celebrate
the life of their loved one.
We ask on behalf of the family that you keep your comments uplifting and appropriate
to help all who come here to find comfort and healing.
Obituary for Darrell Kirk Jensen
Darrell Kirk Jensen passed away on March 7, 2022 surrounded by his wife and sons in their Menlo home. Darrell was born on March 9, 1954 in Greenfield, Iowa and spent nearly all of his 67 years in the local area.
After graduating from Menlo High School in 1972 and Iowa State University in 1976, Darrell returned to Menlo to run the family farm until retiring in 2021. In addition to farming, raising livestock, and starting his own log-building business, Darrell was an active member on various local and state-wide cooperatives. He served thirteen years as a board member – and ultimately, Vice President – for West Central/Landus Cooperative; twelve years on the Farmers Electric Board; and five years on the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, among many others.
After three years of dating, Darrell married Julie and officially began his life as a husband and father to Luke and Jacob on September 4, 1999. He readily embraced these new roles, attending endless concerts and athletic events even after long days of work on the farm or building log homes. He deeply enjoyed spending time with Luke and his children around the farm, and always looked forward to watching Duke basketball games with Jacob.
Darrell was an avid runner, biker, and outdoorsman. He enjoyed taking trips to Colorado to ski and hike, and travelled to Canada and New Mexico to hunt caribou, elk, and moose. His favorite hunting spot was closer though, at his pasture near Casey, where he passed many mornings and evenings in his deer blind, occasionally getting a shot at the big bucks he saw on his trail cams.
One of the highlights of Darrell’s life was his role as Grandpa. Despite the countless hours he spent operating farm machinery over the course of his life, combine and tractor rides took on a renewed excitement when the grandsons rode along. Best of all, his grandchildren lived just a half mile down the road, leading to frequent four-wheeler rides, bon-fires, and nights spent fishing at the pond.
Darrell is survived by his wife, Julie Jensen, and his sons, Luke (Kayte) and Jacob (Kaitlyn); grandchildren, Liam, Levi, and Lincoln; sisters, Ardith Jensen and Marilyn Barr.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Art and Leila Jensen, and sister, Jan Jensen.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 P.M. on Thursday, March 10th at the Johnson Family Funeral Home in Stuart. Memorial service will be held at 2 P.M. on Friday, March 11th at the Johnson Family Funeral Home in Stuart. Burial will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery, near Menlo and a time of fellowship will follow at the Stuart-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church.
