Stevensville - On Wednesday, January 6th, 2021, Robert "Bob" Lee Jensen, caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away at age 86. Bob, the youngest of eight siblings, was born November 13, 1934 in Palmer, NE to Chris and Elsie Jensen. He grew up in Torrington, Wyoming. Living on a pig farm, Bob was no stranger to hard work and responsibility. On September 15th 1954, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served for over eight years before being honorably discharged on October 31st 1962. On June 2, 1957, Robert married Donna Lea. The two enjoyed a joyful and fulfilling marriage for 62 years. A man of many hats (though he wasn’t fond of them messing up his hair), Bob worked in the accounting field, construction, logging, guiding hunters, as well as owning and managing several different properties including two A&W restaurants. A meticulous man, he was able to keep a firm, guiding hand on his businesses, and in the end, he built a comfortable life that he and his family enjoyed for so many years. Bob was a storyteller at heart who had a special way of engaging and entertaining his friends and family. Whether it was tales of youthful mischief, travels with his family, or the literal and figurative fish stories from Minor Creek, Bob could make a group both laugh and feel welcomed into his life. Alongside his wife Donna Lea, Bob had a way of creating meaningful relationships that were valued by many throughout the country. Those ties are both cherrishied and missed. Though there were countless relationships he built throughout his life, it was his wife, and the family they created that was Bob’s greatest love. Bob met Donna Lea at a USO dance in 1956, and it wasn’t long before they were married the following year. This marriage spanded the decades and was one of the most deep and genuine examples of what a partnership is supposed to be. The couple’s first child Susan joined the family in 1960. In 1962, their second daughter Diana was born. The family of four spent several years in South Dakota and briefly in Nebraska, before moving to Stevensville in 1975. It was in Stevensville where the Jensens brought Todd Twedt into their household during his last years of high school. A principled father and husband, Bob passed down his morals to his children, guiding them in the best way he knew how, and those principles have been passed down two more generations. As the couple grew older and their children made families of their own, Bob and Donna Lea began to travel, spending years going down to Arizona and Mexico as well and many other destinations throughout the United States. The sites were a draw, but it was the relationships they built during those times and places that brought out the best in Bob and Donna Lea. Their love, humor, and strength made them people worth remembering and, if possible, emulating. Bob was preceded in death by his wife Donna Lea. He is survived by his three children, Susan Jensen, Diana Lewis and husband Miles, and Todd Twedt and wife Nichole; and their grandchildren Chris Lewis and wife Chelsey and sons Henry and Charles Lewis, Lanaia Lacock and husband Greg, Megan Lewis, and Cole Twedt and partner Kelsie. His laughter and love are greatly missed. A memorial service will be planned for a later date when his loved ones can safely gather.
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