Murlen D. Jenson

Murlen D. Jenson, 84, longtime Moses Lake resident passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at Samaritan Hospital with his loving family at his side. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 23, 2011 at the Moses Lake Alliance Church, 1100 N. Grape Drive with Pastor Jody Bowser and Pastor Kent Copley officiating. Inurnment will be in the Columbarium at Guarding Angels Cemetery, 2595 Road L. N.E., Moses Lake. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory.

Murlen D. Jenson was born on June 24, 1926 in Shafter California. He lived in the Shafter, Visalia, Bakersfield area, growing up, marrying, having his three children and farming until 1962 when he moved his family to Moses Lake. In his 80's, after losing his wife, Jimmie Jenson, he was reunited and married his First Grade classmate, Dona Senn.

Murlen had many loves in his life; family, farming, flying, traveling, snow skiing and fishing to name a few. When he moved to Moses Lake he started a new life of irrigation farming. Dad loved driving his John Deere tractors day after day tilling, planting and harvesting. Even after retiring from farming he still had to have a John Deere riding mower to mow his postage stamp sized lawn. He couldn't wait until the grass would grow long enough so he could get out there on his John Deere. During his farming years, traveling was always done in the winter months. It might have been a ski vacation or to a sunny destination, but it was always some place he hadn't been before. There were even trips in his private plane which was a great love of his. He learned to fly in the Navy and that bug stayed with him for years. After retiring he slowed his mode of traveling down a bit to the motor home. This became a favorite way to see new sites; going across the nation, south to California and north to Alaska. Murlen was also very involved in the community participating in the Rotary Club, Director of Eastern Washington Bank and part owner of Green Acres Fertilizer Co.

Murlen is survived by his loving wife, Dona Senn-Jenson, his daughter, Terri Knopp and husband Ron; his son, Mike Jenson and wife Melody; his daughter Cathy Broberg and husband Mike. Grandchildren: Curt Knopp, Craig Knopp, Michael & Helen Jenson, Dorothy & Joe Bridger, Tyler Mallory, Brittany Rodgers, Austin Rodgers, Kayleen Broberg, Douglas Broberg. Great Grandchildren: Stacie Jenson, Jazmyn Jenson, Maveryk Jenson, Josiah Bridger, Jeremiah Bridger, Jaden Snyder.

Donations may be sent to FRAXA Research Foundation, 45 Pleasant St., Newburyport MA 01950 or go online to www.fraxa.org FRAXA is a research organization studying Fragile X Syndrome. Three of Murlen's grandchildren are affected by Fragile X Syndrome.