Norman G Jensen

Norman G. “Norm” Jensen passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2017, while in a hospice facility, after falling and striking his head on January 28, 2017.

A memorial service will be held later this spring at Belmont Memorial Park in Fresno, California.

Norman was born on February 25, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois, to Harry and Rosa Jensen. He attended three years of college and married his wife, Thelma A. Kvamen, on March 1, 1946. Thelma passed away in 2001.

He enlisted in the United States Navy on March 16, 1942. He served on the USS Corry and, as a radioman, on the USS Rich. On June 4, 1944, the USS Rich, a destroyer escort, was diverted from its usual convoy group and assigned to participate in the invasion of France, D-Day. On June 8, 1944, the USS Rich was steaming to the aid of the USS Glennon DD and struck three mines, blowing her into pieces. Norman was hospitalized and Honorably Discharged on July 7, 1945.

Norman sold Pontiac vehicles in the early 1960s and then went on to the California State Department of Corrections. There, he worked for the Juvenile Custody Division and Adult Custody Division. He finished out his career at the Duel Vocational Institute in Tracy, California, as a Lieutenant.

When Norman retired, him and his wife, Thelma, moved to Kalispell, Montana, where he bought several motorhomes, over a period of time, and the two traveled the country, until Thelma’s passing. The two also enjoyed taking cruises.

Norman is survived by his daughter, son and several grandchildren.