Dana Michael Jensen, 44, of Bismarck, N.D., formerly of Rigby, died Friday, June 12, 2015, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Dana was born June 7, 1971, in Idaho Falls to Nels Craig Jensen and Jean Ellen Durie Jensen (Zimmerman). He grew up primarily in Rigby, although he lived one year in Sugar City and attended Sugar-Salem High School there. He graduated from Rigby High School in 1989. Following graduation, he entered the Marine Corps, serving approximately three years. His duties took him to a communications station in Okinawa. His "Uncle" Clinton was there at the same time performing similar duties for the Air Force.
After the marines, Dana learned to operate print shop equipment. In 1993, this work took him to Great Falls, Mont., where he resided for 19 years. He married Aimee Broughton Murphy on Aug. 11, 2007, in Post Falls, Idaho. They were later divorced, but as a wonderful parenting team continued to share in raising their son, Riley, and Aimee's daughter, Bayleigh.
While in Montana, Dana gained a reputation as a talented, fun disc jockey, providing musical entertainment for many varied events. In 2008, he provided the entertainment for an official ceremony with then-Governor Brian Schweitzer.
In 2011, Aimee's career took the family to Bismarck. Dana maintained his entertainment business interests in Great Falls, while also growing the business to include Bismarck and many nearby locales. He served a six state region with fun, memorable music for any event.
Dana loved the St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Redskins and college basketball – with special emphasis on the NCAA tournament each spring. He loved playing pool with his Great Falls American Poolplayers Association (APA) teams; they played in many pool tournaments, even making the cut to compete in Las Vegas three times. He loved golfing and enjoyed cooking and baking. Dana wasn't reluctant to try new, exotic recipes.
Most of all, Dana loved spending time with his family. Together, he and his children went to movies, traveled, went camping at family gatherings, played games and rode bicycles. You name it, they loved to do it – together. He eagerly anticipated larger family gatherings and reunions.
Dana is survived by his son, Riley Robert Jensen, and stepdaughter, Bayleigh Nicole Murphy, both of Bismarck; parents, Jean and Ron Zimmerman of Rigby, and Nels and Ann Jensen of Idaho Falls; sister, Tricia Jensen of Fayetteville, N.C.; sister and brother, Randi Jensen and Christian Jensen, both of Idaho Falls; and grandmothers, Virginia E. Wood Durie of Stillwater, N.Y., and D. Marie Craig Jensen of Columbus, Ind.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Orrin Craig Jensen, and by grandfathers, Albert F. Jensen and Robert G. Durie, Sr.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 22, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main St., Rigby. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services, both times at the funeral home. Burial will be in Annis-Little Butte Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com.
A celebration of Dana's life will be held in the near future in Great Falls.
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