Gaylen Walter Jensen
Gaylen Jensen Obituary
In Loving Memory of
Gaylen Walter Jensen
Gaylen Jensen was born on July 16, 1935, to Walter and Grace Verdeck Jensen and raised on the family farm in Lyon County. After graduating from Milroy High School in 1953 and briefly enrolling at Bethel College in St. Paul to attend Classes and play football, Gaylen enlisted in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge in January 1957, Gaylen made his home in Mankato, MN. On January 2, 1958, he and Ann Stoltzman were married in Mankato. Following their marriage, they made their home in Mankato while Gaylen pursued a Bachelor of Education Degree at Mankato State. In 1964 they moved to Slayton, MN where Gaylen taught business classes and coached at Slayton High School. In 1986 he and Ann divorced. Gaylen retired from teaching in 1994. Although Gaylen had a deep passion for teaching, he was a farmer at heart and loved being on the land and caring for his pigs. Gaylen was a strong advocate for the underdog and loved being involved in the community which led him to serving as Murray County Commissioner from 1995 to 2002. Gaylen could be seen racing around town in his golf cart or in his pick-up always ready to lend a hand or help someone out. Due to failing health Gaylen moved to Our House Hospice in Slayton on June 9, 2025. He passed away there on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the age of 89, with his family by his side. He was a regular attendee of the First Reformed Church in Slayton. He was a member of US Veterans Affairs and the American Legion. In addition, he was a former member of the Slayton Optimist Club and the Slayton Kiwanis Club. Gaylen (or Grandpa Piggy, as he was loving called by his grandchildren) enjoyed spending time with his family, farming, draft horse shows, racing, Sudoku, reading, coffee with friends at Slayton Bakery, and riding around town in his golf cart.
Survivors include his six children and their spouses, Deb Michels, of Bloomington, MN, Dan and Jerri Jensen of Slayton, MN, Denise Johnson (Ed Fahey) of Franklin, MN, Doug and Dawn Jensen of Sioux Falls, SD, Dennis Jensen of Marshall, MN, and Dean Jensen (Kate Kenefick) of Letts, IA, 13 grandchildren, Josh, Annie, Maria, Danialle, Cassandra, Ryan, Kami, Amber, Hannah, Noah, Jonah, Nick and Joe, 13 great-grandchildren, three siblings, Luella Gustafson of Luverne, MN, Ken Jensen of Anoka, MN, and Ron and Char Jensen of Park Rapids, MN, one sister-in-law, Mary Jensen of Brandon, SD and many nieces and nephews and their families. He is preceded in death by his parents, two granddaughters, Jessica Johnson, and Emily Michels, great-granddaughter, McKaila Ladd and brother, Richard Jensen.
Memorial Services
First Reformed Church in Slayton, MN on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Aaron Punt officiating. The pianist is Joan Friese with special music by Annie Michels Haffner. The honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren. Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN.
Visitation will be on Monday, June 16, 2025, at the First Reformed Church in Slayton from 4-6 p.m. and one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gaylen Walter Jensen, please visit our floral store.