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BORN
1935
DIED
2018
FUNERAL HOME
Len Pense Obituary
Stafford - Leonard Douglas Pense entered this world on February 28th, 1935 as the sixth child of Leonard Douglas Pense and Mattie Belle (Smith) Pense. Known as Doug by the family and Len in business. He lived most of his life with a lung disease and never let it stop him…and rarely let it slow him down.
He paid his way through college by having his own electronic repair business and considered himself an electrical engineer for the rest of his life. He had a brilliant mind and loved a challenge. After serving his country in the U. S. Army and U. S. Air Force, he continued to work for himself with early business interests in a chemical company and urethane foam roofing and construction. He built several round houses (foam dome homes) around the US including Oklahoma, Colorado and Alaska. He moved to Springfield, Missouri and had a security system business for close to a decade before he started his organic gardening business (For pictures please see gardeningrevolution.com), which he operated for 20+ years. He continued his organic gardening business until his passing on May 4, 2018. (He was a big Star Wars fan so exiting this world on the "May the Fourth be with you" is fitting.) He taught gardening classes and sold custom-made ingredients for the raised beds and essential elements to feed the plants with amazing results…not only in his garden but also the people's lives he taught to garden. He felt strongly everyone should know how to feed their family. And family was everything to my dad.
He was married to Cora Briggs (deceased) and had two children, Sharon Pense Augustin and Leonard Daniel Pense (deceased). In 1961 he married Clauda (McFarland) Hibbs and was married to her for more than 50 years. Her children became his that day too, Diane (Hibbs) Monn, Keitha (Hibbs) Roberts (deceased) and Dale Hibbs. He was preceded in death by two children as noted above, his parents, and his brothers and sisters, Jean, Ruby, Howard, Wallace and Allene.
He is survived by his nephew and wife Harold Dean and Dorene Pense, niece and grandniece Donna Jean and Marie Hill, along with numerous grandnieces and nephews who loved "Uncle Doug", his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Homer and Carolyn McFarland and Kay and J.B. Newsome. He is also survived by some wonderful friends here in Springfield, MO that have helped us through this challenging time.
We hope you will come for a celebration of his life (come and go) on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 4 - 6:00 p.m. at J.D. Lee and Sons Funeral Home, 7405 E. Ferrel Ln, Rogersville MO.
Online condolences may be made at www.jdleeandsons.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Len Pense
Sponsored by J.D. Lee & Sons, Inc. Funeral Home.
Larry Bratvold
May 1, 2020
Every morning when I look at our beautiful backyard with my raised bed gardens off to one side behind a which picket fence, I think of you and the stimulating times we had talking about life in general and gardening in specific. Friends are rare. You were a rare and wonderful friend. I miss you and I miss our talks.
Vincent Finelli
June 25, 2018
Len -
We all miss you.
I was thinking back to your seminars at the Get Prepared Expos where all seats were filled - standing room only - a compliment on how well you were respected.
And the weekly meet-ups in Springfield, MO where you taught classes on gardening...
Thank you for your humor, candor, and the wealth of knowledge you were so willing to share with those who were interested.
Craig Lowther
May 15, 2018
He was a great guy and a pleasure to work with. He was my friend
Larry Bratvold
May 11, 2018
I will miss you Len, but I will never forget you and the great conversations we had about important life issues.
Many times I have told the story of how you got me the appointment with your doctor who arranged for me to immediately be seen by a specialist who diagnosed my cancer and got me set up with the right surgeon who immediately performed surgery to remove my tumor before my cancer became metastatic. I firmly believe, as I told you often, God used you to help save my life. Thank you again.
It is my hope and prayer that you fully embraced the faith in God you knew as a young person in your final weeks and days. You knew the scriptures very well, so I know you knew the way to God. His love never fails. He has always been with you.
I look forward to seeing you again, in heaven, giving you a big bear hug and continuing our conversations that were so fascinating because you knew so much about so much. What an incredible mind you had, rich with knowledge,
full of wisdom, and seasoned with common sense.
It has been a great privilege and honor to have you as my friend. I thank God for putting you in my life 10 years ago. My gardens (your gardens in my yard) will serve as yearly reminders of our friendship. You are loved and your memory will always be treasured, my friend.
May 11, 2018
I will miss you Len, but I will never forget you and all you did for me and meant to me. Thank you for all the great talks we had. Thank you for being the connecting link in saving my life in 2013. God performed the miracle but you got me the appointment with the right doctor who arranged for me to see specialists immediately to diagnose my potentially deadly cancer and do surgery before it became metastatic.
It is my hope and prayer that you renewed your relationship with the Lord before you closed your eyes for your final rest. You knew the scriptures well, so I know you knew what Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life." I hope to see you again, to give you a hug and continue our great conversations in heaven.
With fond memories and high regard for a truly remarkable man; my friend, Len Pense.
Larry Bratvold
Sandra Pense
May 11, 2018
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Donald & Linda Cheever
May 8, 2018
A true gentleman. Thankful we had the honor to meet Len and learn from him. Kind, knowledgeable, compassionate,
Extending our sympathy and prayers to his wife and family !
Gary Walker, MD
May 8, 2018
It was an honor and privilege to be a small part of Lens life. For several years he joined some of his guy friends for lunch on Thursday. We all loved seeing him come through the door. Len would always have fascinating stories and several corny jokes to share with us. We all will miss him dearly.
Geney Gulley
May 7, 2018
Sharon, thinking of you and your family during this trying time.
Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results
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Memorial Events
for Len Pense
May
12
Celebration of Life
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
J.D. Lee & Sons, Inc. Funeral Home7405 E Ferrell Ln, Rogersville, MO 65742
Funeral services provided by:
J.D. Lee & Sons, Inc. Funeral Home7405 E Ferrell Ln, Rogersville, MO 65742
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