Photo courtesy of Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services - Sioux Falls
Aug 27, 1943 - Jan 2, 2026 (Age 82)
I'm so sorry for your loss. I worked with Marv at ESI and First Administrators. Marv always had a smile, lots of memories working with him over the years.
Nancy Petersen
January 05, 2026 | ARLINGTON, SD
Memorial Tree
Arthur (Bud) Westendorf
January 05, 2026 | Sioux Falls
I will always remember Marv from when I worked at ESI. A couple of things that is so Marv was when he was so excited to help me celebrate when I turned 21. He picked me up in a snow storm and took me back home again after my fellow employees met for a couple drinks. I walked to work int he snow the next day. He was also so excited to take this small town SD girl to Chicago for a conference and show me the big city. The last time I spoke with him was 6 years ago at the viewing of my late...
Deb Hinde
January 05, 2026 | Tucson, AZ | Coworker
Sorry to hear the loss of another acquaintance and friend. Our prayers are with the family. Remembering Marv as our Morning Optimist Club’s treasurer, seems like he had the job forever!
Bud Westendorf
January 05, 2026 | Sioux Falls, SD | Friend
I got to know Marv when I joined the Optimist club in 1992 as Marv was very instrumental in the Optimus club, good friend and a funny guy and a true Republican! Only guy I knew that had two exact sets of clothes with them at all times!
Dennis Steffen
January 04, 2026 | NOBLE, OK | Friend
What a kind soul. I have some memories with Marv. My top 3 or 4.
1) I ran into him at sky harbor airport. Small world to see that shiny head across the baggage area.
2) We got to ride his motorcycles in Alexandria. Wow! Hey peanut butter.
3) He remained calm when I crashed into his tail light on the Polaris at Shetek.
4) last but not least, he delivered my truck from SD to AZ.
Who does this? Marv. What a nice guy. Good memories of a kind man.
Ryan Christensen
January 04, 2026 | Brookings, SD
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. He was such a good friend and I have a lot of memories. I will miss being able to call him and discussing what was going on in Sioux Falls and the world. Our sympathies and prayers for you Dawn and family.
Joe and Linda Kelly
Joe Kelly
January 03, 2026 | Lincoln, NE | Friend
I remember Marv coming into Panera Bread where I work early in the morning for his coffee. On days when he didn’t come quite so early he and his wife would come together a little later for breakfast. He was always so friendly and kind. He sincerely will be missed.
Becky Anderson
January 03, 2026 | Sioux Falls, SD
We enjoyed so many trips with Marv and Dawn and can't say how devastated and sorrowed we are. Whether dining together, attending dances, attending conventions, enjoying our trips, or playing cards. We always enjoyed our time together, and will definitely be missed.
Bob and Linda Christensen
January 03, 2026 | Sioux Falls, SD | Friend
Marvin Eugene Jensen was born August 27, 1943, in Manitowoc, WI and passed on January 2, 2026 in Sioux Falls, SD.
Funeral services will be at Our Saviors Lutheran Church on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. followed by lunch before burial at Spring Valley Lutheran Cemetery, rural Viborg,SD Family will be present at Heritage Funeral Home for visitation on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, from 5:00- 7:00 p.m
Marv was the son of Orville and Betty (Fastrup) Jensen and the oldest of three children. He was baptized and confirmed at Spring Valley Lutheran Church and grew up on the family farm west of Viborg, SD. He attended country school, Viborg High School, and Nettleton Commercial College.
On June 2, 1962, Marv was united in marriage to Dawn Winthers at Spring Valley Lutheran Church. They lived in Beresford, SD for a short time and have lived in Sioux Falls ever since.
At the beginning, Marv worked for Jay Shon Chevrolet, but for most of his life, he was in third party Administrative Health Insurance, a notary and belonged to several professional associations. He ended his career working for Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Dakota. In retirement he was able to combine his passion for cars and driving by working part-time for Billions and Sturdevant’s Auto Parts.
Community was always important to Marv. He served through Our Savior’s Lutheran Church as a board member and long-time usher. Serving on local and district boards as Secretary Treasurer for the Sioux Falls and Dakotas-Manitoba-Minnesota Optimist Club also gave him joy. He was a life member of Sioux Falls and later Yankton, SD Elks Lodges, and the South Dakota Rental Association. He also donated blood throughout his life reaching 14 gallons.
Marv enjoyed spending time with his family, working on the farm where he grew up, riding snowmobiles and motorcycles (his Harley was the favorite by far), attending Viking’s games with his brother-in-law, drinking coffee with his morning group and collecting trading cards and John Deere toy tractors with his son.
Marv and his wife traveled to all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, England, Wales, Ireland, Denmark and Norway. He loved taking excursions along the way to a destination.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Dawn of Sioux Falls; children Gwen (Dr. Steven Burmaster) of Lenexa, KS, Jacquelyn Jensen of Spring, TX, and Eric Jensen of Overland Park, KS; 3 granddaughters Lauren, Rachel and Natalie Burmaster; siblings Darrell (Patti) Jensen of Sun City, AZ and Cheryl (Randy) Nielsen of Sioux Falls; brother-in-law Dr. D’Orsay (Loretta) Winthers of Mitchel, SD; several nieces & nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
Special thanks to the staff at Sanford Emergency Room and Intensive Care Unit, and the ministry team from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.
The family encourages memorials be directed in Marv’s honor to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or a charity of your choosing.
Blessed be his memory.
A friendly smile, a casual touch, these are the things that mean so much. To know you are with us in our time of sorrow, sharing our prayers today and tomorrow. God gives us the comfort in the form of good friends and family.
Funeral services will be at Our Saviors Lutheran Church on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. followed by lunch before burial at Spring Valley Lutheran Cemetery, rural Viborg,SD Family will be present at Heritage Funeral Home for visitation on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, from 5:00- 7:00 p.m.
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