Gene Dallas Jensen

Gene D. Jensen, of Woodside, Delaware, passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2019, at the Milford Hospice Center, he was 95.  Gene D. Jensen was born to Chris C. Jensen and Margaret Ann Kandler on November 18, 1923 in their farm home near a country outpost called Buffalo, Nebraska.  The only thing left is the cemetery and a school house.

In 1933 his folks moved into a small village called Cozad in Nebraska.  He remained in Cozad until 1942 when he graduated from Cozad High School and shortly after went into the Army Air Corp.  It was the start of an interesting career.  After training he was sent to England and was assigned to 191^st BG B24 – same outfit Major Jimmy Stewart was in.  The two ran into each other coming around the corner and almost knocked each other to the ground.  Sgt. Jensen stepped back, saluted and said “Sorry Sir, my fault.  Major Stewart replied “no one’s fault, Sgt.  Carry on.  He also got acquainted with Billy Conn, light heavy weight champion of the world.  His next assignment was to the 487^th B.G. B17 at Bury St. Edmons. While in Bury St. Edmons he met and married Mary Shepley from Stayleybridge, England.  It was Mary who taught Sgt. Jensen to do ball room dancing. 

When the war was over he volunteered for army of occupation, Europe.   Sgt. Jensen was on his way to Czechoslovakia to help the people in Hitler’s death camps.  On his way up he witnessed the accident that General George Patton was in with a duce and a half.  Jensen ran over to the car but could be of no help.  Patton died a month later.  At Munich Germany, Sgt. Jensen continued on in a 40 & 8 to the death camps.  He was there only two weeks and had to leave because the Russians were coming down and the USA wanted no confrontation with them.

Jensen was put on the 40 & 8 again and going home after 3 ½ years.  He left La Havre on a Liberty ship named the Ernie Pyle.

Sgt. Jensen was in four conflicts, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Belgian Congo and a coup in Libya.   He was issued a blood chit for flying over Korea.  The chit is now hanging in the Cozad Museum in Cozad, Nebraska.  He was in all the continents but two and in fifty eight countries.

He was a mechanic for Wells Ford Garage for three years in Cozad and had his own floor covering business in Cozad.  He went into the lumber business in Azalea, Oregon for four years.  Sgt. Jensen was a life time member of the V.F.W., DAV and American Legion.  He participated in the Senior Olympics and earned seventeen (17) medals.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; a son, Lynn Jensen; brother, Russell Jensen and sister-in-law, Velma Jensen; and sister, Joyce Jensen. Survivors include 2 brothers, Gale Jensen of Gothenburg and Lyle (Darlene) Jensen of Dunsmuir, CA; grandson, Eric Jensen of Delaware; 2 great grandchildren, Lina and Brynn; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to the family in his name for later designation. Graveside services with Military Honors will be held Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cozad Cemetery. Berryman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

When I quit this mortal shore

And mosey round this earth no more

Don’t weep, don’t sigh, don’t grieve, don’t sob

I may have struck a better job

Don’t go and buy a large bouquet

For which you’ll find hard to pay

Don’t stand around me looking blue,

I may be better off than you!